Borussia M'gladbach
| 1-1 | Kramer | (90. Min) |
VfB Stuttgart
| 0-1 | Maxim | (51. Min) |
Ibrahima Traoré
Stats 
Daniel Schwaab in action during the game.
Opening day point
VfB Stuttgart completed the first match day of the 2014/2015 Bundesliga season with an away tie at Borussia Mönchengladbach. The game was to eventually finish in a 1-1 draw, with Alexandru Maxim putting VfB in front and Christoph Kramer snatching a late equaliser.
Armin Veh made just one change to the eleven that began against Bochum last weekend, with Alexandru Maxim coming in to replace Filip Kostic on the left wing. Daniel Didavi made the starting eleven, thanks to the medical department getting a grip on the midfielder’s Achilles tendon problem.
Compact defensive work
In the first quarter hour, both teams proved particularly convincing in their defensive displays. With compact and determined tackling, both VfB as well as Borussia, prevented their opposite numbers from creating much in front of goal. It was to prove a very tactical match, which would see the teams go in at the break locked in stalemate.
The 50,000 strong crowd at the ‚Borussia-Park‘ saw an unchanged VfB side make the brighter, and ultimately successful, start to the second period. Christian Gentner fed a pass through to Alexandru Maxim, who fired into the far corner, much to the approval of the travelling fans (51‘). The hosts immediately raised their game in search of an equaliser, but Sven Ulreich was twice to the rescue to keep his side in front (60’ and 61’).
Armin Veh: "We did a lot of things very well over long periods and were tactically very disciplined."
Post match comments
Fortune for VfB
Armin Veh’s men looked to restore a foothold on proceedings and interrupt Borussia’s attacking flow. In the 67th minute, the home fans were up off their feet and celebrating as Branimir Hrgota netted, but the Gladbach goal was cancelled out by an off-side decision.
The VfB coach reacted by bringing in Carlos Gruezo to stabilise things defensively and tighten up at the back. Daniel Didavi made way for the Ecuador international (71‘). Three minutes later, VfB had luck on their side again, when Thorgan Hazard cracked a shot off the post. Minutes later, goal-scorer Alexandru Maxim was replaced by Filip Kostic – making his Bundesliga debut along with Oriol Romeu and Florian Klein.
Gladbach equalise late on
VfB had managed to break the Borussia hold on the game and even managed to launch the odd attack on Yann Sommer’s goal. The keeper was tested with a powerful drive by Christian Gentner, which he turned away for a corner (84’).
Gentner & Co. were looking solid at the back but an inability to effectively clear late on saw the ball drop to German international Christoph Kramer, who picked his spot and slammed home to rescue a point for Gladbach. On the whole, The ‘Cannstatt Boys‘ can consider themselves satisfied with their point in the 2014/2015 Bundesliga opener.
