VfB Stuttgart

[Trim]

Gomez back on the ball

The solo sessions are finally over. On Thursday, Mario Gomez finally returned to full VfB team training, having recovered from a recent muscle sinew tear.

The comeback means that the club's top scorer could well make an appearance this Sunday in the south German derby against FC Bayern Munich (Allianz Arena 5pm kick-off).

Definitely out of the reckoning for the Munich tie will be Thomas Hitzlsperger (deep cut to knee) and club captain Fernando Meira (shoulder dislocation).

Serdar Tasci is expected to fill in at the back for the Portuguese international although he only managed some light training today due to a cold.

Sami Khedira is somewhat shy of full fitness and wasn't involved in full team training again this week.

Bundesliga - Die offizielle Webseite

[Trim]

Bayern Munich 4 - 1 Stuttgart

9' [1 - 0] L. Toni
19' [1 - 1] A.d. Silva
55' [2 - 1] M.v. Bommel
75' [3 - 1] F. Ribéry
76' [4 - 1] F. Ribéry

Bayern turn on the style

FC Bayern have all but secured their 21st German title.

Ottmar Hitzfeld's team maintained their twelve-point advantage with a 4-1 home win over defending champions VfB Stuttgart and need only one more point from four remaining matches.

Bayern had a dream start in front of 69,000 in the sold out Allianz Arena when Luca Toni opened the scoring with his 21st of the season after just eight minutes, capitalising on a mistake by Mathieu Delpierre.

VfB threatened through Mario Gomez (16), who was denied by Michael Rensing, and Roberto Hilbert's mis-hit cross that hit the cross-bar.

Antonio da Silva then got a helping hand from Mark van Bommel, who deflected his free-kick past Rensing for the equaliser (19).

VfB then lost Ludovic Magnin with a knee injury (37), Arthur Boka replaced the unlucky Swiss international.

FCB midfielder van Bommel made amends for the equaliser ten minutes into the second half when he fired a low free-kick past the wall and VfB keeper Raphael Schäfer.

Hitzfeld then brought on Franck Ribery, and the Frenchman took centre-stage with an unstoppable 25-metre thunderbolt into the top corner (75) before putting the icing on the cake with his second and Bayern's fourth just 90 seconds later.

Bundesliga - Die offizielle Webseite

[Trim]

Veh Congratulates Bayern

Stuttgart trainer Armin Veh was left disappointed after watching his side go down to a 4-1 defeat to Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena, but took time to congratulate Bayern on their title win.

Antonia da Silva fired got the Swabians on level terms after Luca Toni had given the home side an early lead.

However, a Mark van Bommel free kick at the start of the second half got Bayern back in front, before two superb efforts from substitute Franck Ribéry secured the win for Ottmar Hitzfeld’s side.

“From my point of view the size of the win was too high” Veh explained. “We started off on a par with Bayern, but didn’t make the most of taking our counter attacking chances” he said.

“After the equaliser, we had one or two opportunities to take the lead. Bayern then scored from a free kick and that was near enough the decider.

“After the class display from Ribéry the game was finally decided. It was sensational the way he scored the third goal.

“In my opinion, I can’t really criticise my team. We wanted to take something from the game but in the end Bayern deservedly won through their class.

“I’d like to congratulate Bayern for their title win. I think they were the favourites from the start of the season.

“They have the best squad, and the best individual players. My compliments to Ottmar Hitzfeld, who has won it again” he concluded.

Goal.com - VfB Stuttgart - Veh Congratulates Bayern

[Trim]

Simak Completes Stuttgart Move

Czech midfielder Jan Simak has completed his move from second division Carl Zeiss Jena to VfB Stuttgart according to a statement on the club’s website.

The 29 year old former Hannover and Bayer Leverkusen playmaker is ready for a return to the Bundesliga after being forced to quit Germany back in 2003 after undergoing depression.

He kick started his career at Sparta Prague, before joining second division outfit Carl Zeiss Jena last summer. He has refound his best form at Jena and was a major reason for them reaching the German Cup final, where they eventually lost to Dortmund. The side from the East defeated VfB Stuttgart along the way.

"I have a great deal to thank Jena for" said the Czech Republic international.

"The club and the fans have shown me a lot of faith and gave me a new chance.

"That alone ensures that my thoughts until the end of the season remain exclusively with Jena and the relegation battle."

Stuttgart are believed to be paying in the region of €500,000 for Simak, although the size of the fee has yet to be confirmed.

Simak’s true value is nearer to €1 million, but with Jena precariously close to relegation, the midfielder could have left for as little as €250,000 in the summer.

Goal.com - VfB Stuttgart - Simak Completes Stuttgart Move

[Trim]

Antonio da Silva scored to put Stuttgart level against Bayern who went on to win 4:1. He gave bundesliga.de his spin on the match.

It was a rollercoaster ride of emotion for Antonio da Silva. First, the Brazilian midfielder scored with a free-kick to square things 1:1 against FC Bayern. But then, the league leaders went into overdrive when Franck Ribéry came on as a substitute.

"Bayern played more cleverly", is his verdict on the match, given in an exclusive interview with bundesliga.de. Da Silva also gave his thoughts on Stuttgart's chances of qualifying for international competition next season and his own personal future at VfB.

bundesliga.de: Does your strong performance and goal make up in any way for the loss against Bayern?

Antonio da Silva: No, not at all. We desperately wanted to take something from that match; not just a point, but all three.

bundesliga.de: Why did Stuttgart end up empty-handed?

Da Silva: Bayern played more cleverly. We played some good football and we also made up for going behind so early. With the scoreline level, we were aiming to continue playing well in the second half. Mark van Bommel's free-kick goal came as a surprise, but we still believed we had a chance to square the game.

bundesliga.de: But them Bayern Coach Ottmar Hitzfeld brought on Franck Ribéry...

Da Silva: Yes, he scored a fluke goal to make it 3.1 and directly after that, he scored again to make it 4:1. There was nothing we could do after that.

bundesliga.de: Earlier in the season, Stuttgart dominated Bayern and deservedly won 3:1. Why didn't Stuttgart put in a similar performance in Munich? Was the stadium atmosphere a reason?

Da Silva: No, definitely not. It wasn't the first time we have played in Munich. Bayern simply have first-class players. Still, we gave them a run for their miney in the first half.

bundesliga.de: Due to Leverkusen's 2:2 draw with Wolfsburg in Sunday, VfB Stuttgart have slipped to sixth in the Bundesliga standings. How are Stuttgart's international ambitions looking at this moment in time?

Da Silva: We are still in with a chanced. Now wee have four crucial games ahead of us, in which we can collect a maximum of twelve points. It is our aim to look at the situation on a game-to-game basis and try to collect three points frmo every match.

bundesliga.de: There has been a pot of speculation about your future. Will you be staying with VfB Stuttgart?

Da Silva: That's all hanging in the balance. Anything is possible at the moment and nothing has been decided as of yet.

Bundesliga - Die offizielle Webseite

[Trim]

Bundesliga, Matchday 31 | PREVIEW
Stuttgart – Eintracht Frankfurt

The Swabians were rather unfortunate to finish on the end of a 4-1 loss to Bayern Munich last weekend as they played better than the result suggests. Armin Veh’s side will be looking to bounce back immediately against Frankfurt in order to apply more pressure on fifth placed Hamburg.

After the disappointing season Stuttgart have had, qualification for Europe would be seen as a real success.

Frankfurt are just off the pace in the race for European qualification with Friedhelm Funkel probably looking to next season already with a view to making a more concerted, whole season charge on the top six. Last weekend, they were held at home by Dortmund in a very entertaining game.

[Trim]

Stuttgart 4 - 1 Eintracht Frankfurt

3' [1 - 0] Y. Basturk
7' [2 - 0] M. Gomez
17' [3 - 0] Y. Basturk
47' [4 - 0] J. Cacau
63' [4 - 1] I. Amanatidis

Stuttgart 4-1 Eintracht Frankfurt

Stuttgart came racing out of the blocks very quickly to put the game beyond Frankfurt before the team from Hessen had even woken up. Three goals in the opening 18 minutes put the Swabians in the driving seat and has put them in the driving seat with regards Uefa Cup qualification.

The Swabians got off to the perfect start when Yildiray Bastürk fired them in front after just three minutes. Artur Boka crossed from the left, and Sotirios Kyrgiakos looked to clear. The ball however only fell to Bastürk, who volleyed home a superb effort to hand Armin Veh’s side an early lead.

That lead was then doubled three minutes later when Mario Gomez added a second. Boka again was the architect after he got to the bye-line before crossing goalwards. Spycher tried to clear, but once again only found a Stuttgart player. German international Gomez fired home to make it 2-0.

2-0 became 3-0 with just 18 minutes on the clock and it was Bastürk again, who was the goalscorer. Cacau combined well with Gomez on the edge of the box, and the striker laid the ball onto Bastürk, who rounded the keeper before slotting home his second of the game.

Two minutes into the second half and the home side added to their three first half goals. Bastürk played the ball to da Silva, who then brought Cacau into the play. The Brazilian hammered the ball into the right hand corner with the Frankfurt defence motionless.

Frankfurt’s only goal of the game came through Amanatidis on 63 minutes. A fine one-two with Toski beat the VfB defence and the Greek striker fired home a consolation goal for Eintracht.

[Trim]

Veh Optimistic Of Top Five Finish

Stuttgart trainer Armin Veh was a happy man after seeing his side beat Eintracht Frankfurt 4-1 at the Gottlieb-Daimler Stadion. The win sees them go fifth, with Bayer Leverkusen playing tomorrow.

Three goals inside the opening 18 minutes saw the game over as a contest and Cacau added a fourth two minutes into the second half to seal the three points for the Swabians.

Amanatidis pulled a consolation goal back for the visitors on 63 minutes, but there was only ever going to be one winner in this game.

“It helped us today that we managed to score the early goals” VfB trainer Armin Veh declared.

“After that we combined well and let the ball do the work. We could even have gone further in front.

“Despite the lead, we defended aggressively. Overall it was a very good performance from my team. Even after going 4-0 up we could have scored more and had a great chance through Mario Gomez.

“For me, Bastürk had a tremendous game. We deserved to win by the high margin.

“If we play the same way in our next few games then I’m optimistic we’ll finish in the top five” he concluded.

Goal.com - VfB Stuttgart - Veh Optimistic Of Top Five Finish

[Trim]

Bundesliga, Matchday 32 | PREVIEW
Borussia Dortmund – Stuttgart

Borussia Dortmund welcome Uefa Cup challengers Stuttgart to the Signal Iduna Park looking to finish the season on a high. BVB have drawn their last two games, but that is at least an improvement on the two defeats they suffered in their other two previous games.

A win for the home side would once and for all make them mathematically safe and would take a little of the pressure off Thomas Doll who will be nervously wondering if his future lies at Dortmund despite recent assurances from the club’s leadership.

A 4-1 win for Stuttgart against Eintracht Frankfurt at the weekend combined with Leverkusen’s loss to Duisburg has seen the Swabians into the top five and has opened up a three point gap over Bayer in sixth.

Another three points on Tuesday for Armin Veh’s side and they will be all-but assured of European qualification, which seemed a very slim possibility earlier this season.

[Trim]

Veh Focussed On Top Five Finish

Stuttgart trainer Armin Veh is focussing all his attention on the final three games of the season as his side look to finish a poor season on a high by finishing in the top five and qualifying for next season’s Uefa Cup.

Results at the weekend certainly went the Swabians way with Bayer Leverkusen losing to Duisburg, while Wolfsburg and Schalke could only draw their games.

Stuttgart now sit fifth and have a three point cushion over sixth placed Bayer Leverkusen. Trainer Armin Veh will be looking for three points tonight away to Borussia Dortmund in order to give his side even more breathing space.

“We always want to win” Veh explained. “The results were good for us at the weekend, especially as Leverkusen have, at least on paper, a relatively easy run-in.

“We are now three points ahead but we have a weaker goal difference. We need to take seven points from the final three games if we are to remain in fifth place” he added.

At one stage this season it looked as though last season’s champions would be involved in a relegation struggle rather than a fight for European qualification. If they could achieve fifth spot, then their season will have been well and truly rescued.

“I am sticking to my guns and still say that, if we make fifth spot, that's a good position. After the next game the situation could be a very different one” Veh said.

“It's important for us to take something from Dortmund. At the end of the day, we have no influence on how the others play."

Stuttgart have been boosted by the news that both Fernando Meira and Thomas Hitzlsperger are available again, but it remains unclear whether Veh will tinker with the side that beat Frankfurt so convincingly at the weekend.

Goal.com - VfB Stuttgart - Veh Focussed On Top Five Finish

[Trim]

Borussia Dortmund 3 - 2 Stuttgart

35' [1 - 0] Tinga
55' [1 - 1] M. Gomez
59' [2 - 1] A. Frei
79' [3 - 1] A. Frei
83' [3 - 2] M. Gomez

Borussia Dortmund 3-2 Stuttgart

Borussia Dortmund gave their passionate fans something to celebrate with a fine 3-2 win over a Stuttgart side looking for European qualification.

A pretty average first saw Stuttgart with the upper hand but they were punished for not making the most of their superiority when Dortmund made the most of a rare opportunity. A quick throw in from Dede saw Giovanni Federico lay the ball onto Tinga on the edge of the box. The Brazilian midfielder chested the ball well, before firing a well placed shot past Schäfer in the Stuttgart goal.

Five minutes into the second 45 minutes and Stuttgart managed to get themselves back on level terms with a goal from Mario Gomez. Dortmund had trouble clearing a VfB free kick and when Fernando Meira whipped the ball back into the centre, Gomez was on hand to head in from close range.

However, their relief was short lived with Dortmund regaining the lead four minutes later. The home side were awarded a free kick on 59 minutes on the edge of the box, which Swiss striker Alexander Frei curled over the wall to outfox Stuttgart keeper Raphael Schäfer and put BVB back into the lead.

As the game proceeded and VfB looked for the equaliser, Dortmund looked to be the stronger of the two teams and they duly grabbed their third of the night on 79 minutes. Valdez beat both Beck and Meira down the left, before sliding a great ball across to Alex Frei, who had the easiest of chances to put the ball over the line.

With the clock ticking down, Mario Gomez made things interesting on 80 minutes with his second of the evening. Cacau gave him the ball and the German international let fly with a superb shot that gave Höttecke no chance in the Dortmund goal.

[Trim]

Tasci out for the rest of the season

Stuttgart's Serdar Tasci is sidelined for the remainder of the season after picking up an injury in their 3:2 loss against Dortmund.

The up-and-coming youngster was taken off the pitch after just 16 minutes of play on Tuesday evening after suffering what has been diagnosed as a torn thigh muscle.

After an initial check-up in the locker room, the injury was confimed by another examination. The rear of Tasci's right thigh is torn, and that means that the 21-year old central defender will definitely have to sit out the rest of the season.

Bundesliga - Die offizielle Webseite

[Trim]

Bundesliga, Matchday 33 | PREVIEW
Wolfsburg – Stuttgart

Wolfsburg are already looking to next season with a European place now beyond them and the news this week has been dominated by the possible arrival of Italian defender Christian Zaccardo.

The season however isn’t over for the Wölfe and they showed that they were not going to relax in their remaining games with a scintillating 3-2 away win over Eintracht Frankfurt in midweek.

Stuttgart went down to a 3-2 loss themselves to Borussia Dortmund, but with Bayer Leverkusen also losing they remained in the top five and still have a three point lead over Bayer in sixth, so their destiny is very much in their own hands.

If the match was at the Gottlieb-Daimler Stadion, you’d say home win, but as mentioned Wolfsburg will not role over so VfB will have to fight for the three points on Saturday.