VfB Stuttgart
FC Schalke 04
| 0-1 | Sane | (53. Min) |
Florian Klein
Stats 
No fortune
Once again it was a lack of efficiency which proved the decisive criteria in VfB Stuttgart’s clash with FC Schalke 04. Over the course of the ninety minutes, the home side created a number of extremely promising openings, particularly in the first half, but on the day, the Cannstatt Boys could not force the ball over the goal-line. The visitors, on the other hand, struck just after the restart to make one of their few opportunities count and thus stole all three points away from the Mercedes-Benz Arena with a 1-0 win.
Personnel
VfB had Przemyslaw Tyton back from suspension and between the posts, whilst Timo Baumgartl was back from a knee problem to replace Adam Hlousek in the centre of defence. In addition, Alexandru Maxim filled in for Daniel Didavi, who was carrying a knock and took a place on the substitute’s bench. VfB coach Alexander Zorniger opted for a fourth alteration to his starting eleven, giving Timo Werner the nod ahead of Martin Harnik up front.
The opponents from Gelsenkirchen were in Europa League action away to APOEL Nikosia on Thursday evening and took back a 3-0 win from Cyprus. Schalke trainer André Breitenreiter stuck with the same eleven that began in the European competition.
Statement
Alexander Zorniger: "We need to get our heads up quickly now and prepare ourselves for the game against Hannover. I am really delighted about how the fans showed a real grasp of such a difficult situation during a period when things are really not so easy."
Post-match comments
Highlights
8th minute: The ever-active Timo Werner has a chance on goal, but the striker slots the pass from Filip Kostic narrowly wide of the post.
18th minute: VfB have the better of the play and are pushing for an opener. On the break, the well-advanced Timo Baumgartl gets a header in, but narrowly misses the target.
20th minute: The first good attack from the visitors. From a corner, Joel Matip gets to the ball, but the shot is turned over the bar by Przemyslaw Tyton.
45th minute: Referee Manuel Gräfe blows for half-time. VfB controlled proceedings for much of the first period and created a number of chances, but were unable to make any of them count. Schalke on the other hand are focused on their defensive duties and have had few openings going forward.
53rd minute: The second half starts horribly for VfB Stuttgart. On a quick counter attack, Leroy Sané goes it alone and slots home to put the guests in front.
90th minute: VfB press in the closing phase in search of an equaliser and are constantly driven forward by the home fans, but in the end, the score-line remains at 0-1 and the Cannstatt Boys again have nothing to show for their efforts.
Summary
Fortune would appear to be completely eluding VfB at the moment. The team ran, battled and created good chances, but in the end lacked a successful strike on goal. The opponents from Schalke were more effective and used one of the few openings created to steal the points. Once again, the VfB players left the field of play at the end of a decent performance empty-handed.
