Hertha BSC
| 1-1 | Kalou | (22. Min) |
| 2-1 | Kalou | (64. Min) |
| 3-1 | Beerens | (74. Min) |
| 3-2 | Wagner [OG] | (83. Min) |
VfB Stuttgart
| 0-1 | Leitner | (5. Min) |
Moritz Leitner
Stats 
Moritz Leitner scored the opener.
Too many errors
To get the seventh match day of the season underway, VfB were in the capital for their clash with Hertha BSC. Following a strong beginning and having taken an early lead, the ‘Cannstatt Boys’ continued to play well, but too many unnecessary errors were punished by the hosts and VfB were eventually left on the receiving end of a 2-3 (1-1) defeats.
Armin Veh made two changes to the eleven that began against Hannover last weekend. The injured Daniel Didavi was replaced by Filip Kostic, making his starting eleven debut, whilst Vedad Ibisevic got the nod ahead of Timo Werner.
Early lead through Moritz Leitner, Berlin level from the spot
The Bosnian international made his first mark in the game in midfield. Playing a perfectly executed back heeled pass in the fifth minute, the striker found Florian Klein on the right wing. The Austrian, in turn, picked out German ‚Under 21‘ Moritz Leitner, who slotted home to give the guests an early lead.
In the 22nd minute, the hosts were then awarded a penalty and Salomon Kalou made no mistake from the spot to put his side back on level terms. Trainer Armin Veh’s men lost their control over the game somewhat by midway through the first half, making too many individual errors and proving too careless in many situations. Veh reacted to the situation in the 28th minute, bringing in Timo Werner to replace Carlos Gruezo. There was to be no further real first half action and the sides went into the break locked at 1-1.
Post match comments
Christian Gentner: "It’s very frustrating to have thrown the lead we had away and lose this game." Post match comments
Salomon Kalou turns the tie
Right from the start of the second period, VfB regained the upper hand and displayed more of the control shown early in the game, but in the 63rd minute, Veh’s men found themselves 1-2 down. Hertha won possession in midfield, with VfB pressing high up the park, and Salomon Kalou completed the counter attack to put his side in front (63‘).
The ‘Cannstatt Boys’ almost found a quick response, with Filip Kostic firing into the side-netting (72’). The VfB coach opted to add some attacking power, with Oriol Romeu making way for Martin Harnik. Unfortunately for the guests, another unnecessary loss of possession was punished by Berlin, with Roy Beerens increasing the home side’s lead to 3-1 (74‘).
Too little, too late
Just three minutes later, Vedad Ibisevic had the opportunity to reduce the deficit once again, but the Bosnian sent his headed effort wide of the mark. That deficit was then reduced in the 83rd minute, when Moritz Leitner delivered a free-kick, which Sandro Wagner redirected into his own goal – 2-3!.
Trainer Armin Veh’s men pushed in search of an equaliser, but there was to be no joy for VfB on the night. Another decent performance was ultimately ruined by too many errors, leaving VfB to head into the international break on the back of a 2-3 defeat.
