VfB Stuttgart
| 1-0 | Maxim | (69. Min) |
| 2-0 | Harnik | (89. Min) |
SC Freiburg
Oliver Sorg
Stats 
Vital derby success
A crowd of 58,500 at the Mercedes-Benz Arena saw VfB overcome SC Freiburg. The home side struck the frame of the goal three times during the game, but fortunately also the back of the net twice, in securing three vitally important points. VfB trainer Huub Stevens had to make do without the suspended Georg Niedermeier for the local derby. Gotoku Sakai came in to fill the right full-back role, with Daniel Schwaab switching to the centre of defence.
Both sides began the game cautiously, with niggling fouls in midfield often interrupting the flow of the play. The first chance of the game fell to Daniel Didavi after 14 minutes, with the midfielder’s drive from 25 meters out being turned against the crossbar by SC keeper Oliver Baumann. Didavi was involved again five minutes later, providing a free-kick delivery for Antonio Rüdiger, but the centre-half could only head into the arms of Baumann. The hosts then had a shout for a penalty just shy of the half-hour mark, when Ibrahhima Traoré appeared to be held in the area by Gelson Fernandes, but referee Felix Zwayer was unimpressed and waved for play to continue.
Stevens’ men once again looked very well organized at the back, leaving the Freiburg attackers Admir Mehmedi and Karim Guédé very little space to operate in. With the home side also unable to create any further openings before the end of the half, the sides went in at the break locked in stalemate.
Quote for the game
Huub Stevens: "The first half of the game was very tactical. These three points are very important in the current situation, but the win itself is only a small step under the current circumstances."
Post match comments
Maxim breaks the deadlock
From the beginning of the second period, SC Freiburg maintained their cautious, defensive approach, allowing VfB to control the pace of the play. With the clear superiority on the ball not helping Stuttgart breaking down the SC defence, it was the visitors who were then to create the first opening of the half, with Admir Mehmedi forcing a save from Sven Ulreich. With just over an hour on the clock, Huub Stevens introduced Alexandru Maxim and Timo Werner in place of Daniel Didavi and Vedad Ibisevic, to add some fresh legs to the attack – and the substitutions were to prove inspired. In the 69th minute, VfB captain Christian Gentner spread a pass out right to Ibrahima Traoré. The Guinean international expertly picked out Alexandru Maxim, who made absolutely no mistake and slammed home from close range to put VfB in front.
With fifteen minutes to go, Timo Werner had the chance to double his side’s advantage. The youngster trapped a pass from Traoré with his chest and fired on goal, only to see his effort bounce away off the crossbar. As the game moved into its closing phase, SC were forced to open up in search of an equaliser, but chances for Matthias Ginter and Admir Mehmedi were dealt with excellently by Sven Ulreich. With a minute to go, Martin Harnik then undoubtedly sealed the points, getting on the end of Maxim corner and poking the ball into the roof of the net to make it 2-0 (89’). The vitally important win for VfB Stuttgart on match day 29 sees Huub Stevens’ men leave the immediate drop-zone.
