2:0 Leads Slips Away: Werder 2 VfB Stuttgart 3

First Team
Sunday, 17.09.2006 / 10:33

2:0 in front and then to let the points slip through their fingers. That was the story of the fourth match day in the Bundesliga as Werder Bremen lost 2:3 (2:1) at home to VfB Stuttgart.

2:0 in front and then to let the points slip through their fingers. That was the story of the fourth match day in the Bundesliga as Werder Bremen lost 2:3 (2:1) at home to VfB Stuttgart. The home side took the lead through an own goal by Roberto Hilbert (4’) and then extended their lead with a classy finish from Mohamed Zidan (33’). Hilbert made up for his mistake before half time with a goal that saw VfB back in the tie before half time (38’). Pardo drew the sides back level just on the hour before Marion Gomez completed the turn around for the visitors three minutes from time. 2:3 – Stuttgarts second away win on the trot and a bitter fourth defeat in a row for title hopefuls Werder Bremen.

 

Klose misses out

 

The first bad news of the day arrived at Thomas Schaaf’s door just hours before the kick-off. Miroslav Klose sprained his foot in the final pre-match training session and would not be able to take part. With Ivan Klasnic suffering from an ankle problem that meant the so feared ‘K & K’ strike force would be missing. “A chance for Hugo Almeida and Mohamed Zidan”, in the opinion of the coach before the tie.

 

The newly formed ‘A-Z’ attack didn’t have to get involved at all at first with the first Werder goal after just four minutes being scored by a Stuttgart player. Following a cross from Torsten Frings from the right, a chain of heading errors by Serdar Tasci and Roberto Hilbert left keeper Timo Hildebrand no chance of recovery – 1:0.

 

The home side controlled the opening phases of the game and could have doubled their lead when the lanky defender Naldo got his head to a Diego free-kick (6’). The guests had their first real attempt on goal after twelve minutes when Mario Gomez took on a volley but was unable to beat Tim Wiese in the Werder goal. Two minutes later the young VfB striker got a chance in front of goal again but this time headed wide of the mark.

 

As Werder appeared to have problems getting past a well drilled VfB defence into the opposition box, Diego decided to try his luck from distance with a drive. Stuttgart keeper Hildebrand had time to watch he strike and was just about able to turn the ball away for a corner which subsequently was left uninspiring.

 

Zidan’s lovely lob

 

The game had begun to lose its flow and was marred on both sides by simple mistakes and a lack of ideas. As if from out of nothing tough, two more goals were to be scored before the break. Werder captain Frank Baumann too out the complete VfB midfield with a long ball towards Zidan who shook off his marker Boka and foxed Hildebrand with a perfectly weighted lob from a tight angle – 2:0 (33’).

 

The fact that Werders clear lead failed to reflect the thru run of the play became clear soon after. Hilbert made a run through the centre and was fed with a fine pass by Mario Gomez. The young German Under 21 international made up for his mistake which gave Werder the lead and shot low and hard into the far corner to put VfB back in the reckoning before half time (38’).

 

The standard of play was not at all influenced by the words which fell at half time with the quality of play remaining uninspiring at best. The hosts did have two chances to reinstate their two goal cushion during this period. Firstly, under no pressure at all, Tim Borowski blasted the ball into the Bremen sky from the edge of the box (50’) and then playmaker Diego got unlucky with a shot which cracked off the crossbar (52’).

 

Werder burn-out

 

Stuttgart then raised their play, shifted out of their defensive stance and attacked the ball in the Werder half – and with success. A distance shot from Pavel Pardo was wickedly deflected by Borowski to put the visitors back on level terms – 2:2 (58’). The equaliser gave VfB just the push they needed and left Thomas Schaaf desperately try to force his side forward, bringing front man Aaron Hunt for central defender Petri Pasanen (62’) to work as a third striker alongside the now totally fruitless Almeida and Zidan.

 

The attempt to inspire a Werder revival was a wasted one and even the later introductions of Christian Schulz (75’ for Borowski) and Patrick Owomoyela (80’ for Pierre Womé) failed to give the home side the lift they needed. The Green-Whites from the north looked burnt-out and no longer in a state to hit back at a still fit looking Stuttgart side.

 

The fresher south Germans then hit Werder where it really hurts. Caught on the break, Werder were too lethargic in getting back into position and allowed Streller to feed Gomez with the greatest of ease. The youngster got to the ball ahead of Clemens Fritz to knock it home – 2:3. The fourth defeat on the trot for Werder Bremen who have their work cut out if they are still to aspire to their title dreams.

 

Weitere News

Your web browser ist outdated.
The web browser you are using is no longer supported.
Please download one of these free and up to date browsers.
Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge
Chrome Firefox Edge
Google Chrome
Mozilla Firefox
MS Edge
Why should I use an up to date web browser?
Security
Newer web browsers provide better protection against malware, data theft and other threats to your privacy and security. Up to date browsers continuously close security holes that allow attackers to enter your computer.
New Technologies
The technologies used on modern websites are better supported by newer web browsers. This both increases functionality and improves the website layout. By benefiting from new functions and extensions you will be able to surf the web faster and easier.