Timo Werner in a duel with Daniel Brückner.

Spoils shared in year’s finisher

The 55,000 strong crowd at the Mercedes-Benz Arena were not treated to any goals, as VfB played out a 0-0 draw with SC Paderborn 07 in the final game of 2014. The hosts had the better chances on goal, in particular in the first half, but were unable to make their superiority count. At the back, Huub Stevens’ men looked solid and allowed very little through, which was ultimately to result in the game finishing in stalemate.

Huub Stevens made two changes to the side that won away to HSV in midweek, with the suspended Georg Niedermeier and Alexandru Maxim (thigh problem), being replaced by Timo Werner and Daniel Didavi, who was back for the first time since September.

VfB began the game against the confident Bundesliga new-boys at the Mercedes-Benz Arena with a well-organised back line. The hosts had their first sight of goal from a break on the right, with Florian Klein passing to Timo Werner, whose low drive went wide of the post. Shortly after, Daniel Didavi tried his luck from 20 meters out, but failed to hit the target (13‘). The returning Didavi was involved again minutes later, bringing an impressive save from Lukas Kruse with a free-kick from twenty meters out. At the other end, Sven Ulreich had to be alert to prevent Moritz Stoppelkamp putting the guests in front. It was to remain the visitor’s only chance on goal in the first half. On the half hour mark, Adam Hlousek headed narrowly wide from a promising position. The home side continued to press forward and create chances, not least from another Didavi free-kick which tested Kruse (34’). With half time fast approaching, a cross from Gotoku Sakai almost led to VfB taking the lead, with Daniel Brückner heading against his own goal post, but somehow the Paderborn defence managed to clear the loose ball and the sides went into the break locked in stalemate.