Lump In Throat Making It Hard To Swallow

VfB shows morality and loses 2:4

showed the valiant fighting VfB Stuttgart at the 2:4 (1:2) defeat in Leverkusen, although a good game, made in a relegation battle in the Bundesliga but no solid ground. Stefan Kiessling with a brace (3 +90.), Gonzalo Castro (41) and defender Stefan Reinartz (81) was achieved on Sunday in the Bay-Arena not quite sold out before 28 851 spectators, Bayer gates. The Austrian Martin Harnik (16) and the Serbian Zdravko Kuzmanovic (52) provided for interim compensation. remains

VfB no luck

Leverkusen after 23 Gameday first runner-up to Borussia Dortmund and FC Bayern Munich ousted record back from second on the table. The team of coach Jupp Heynckes has further ten points behind the leader. Stuttgart will remain with 19 points to 17th place on the course is Relegation remains four points.

The Leverkusen could not continue with the gala performances in Frankfurt and in the Champions League in the freezing Kharkov. VfB showed great morale, 1:2 in the Champions League in Lisbon courage had made. For VfB coach Bruno Labbadia it almost became a successful return to old stamping ground - in the end lacked the luck.

Ballack in 65th Minutes off the bench

Bayer national team captain Michael Ballack was back in the squad, but first sat on the bench before it in the 65th minute for substitute Simon Rolfes was. Newly moved into the starting XI including Kiessling, of its 200th Bundesliga match played and at the beginning and the end was in place.

The first chance of the guests had, withdrew after three minutes when Cacau Adler and cleared for a corner. But three minutes later it was over with the Stuttgart glory. Kiessling dusted off and hailed his third goal of the season. Although the guests the uncertainty was noted significantly, tried the Swabians. Beautiful was played out of balance. Gloss was unlocked by Hajnal Harnik the Bayer keeper no chance. A little later the Austrians clashed together and Rene Adler at full speed, but both could go on.

tour of Ulreich error

a goalkeeper error by Sven Ulreich then brought to Leverkusen just before the break deserved lead. The VfB keeper could only parry a shot Castro-forward He then met in the margin. In cabin was coach Bruno Labbadia the right words, Kuzmanovic withdrew from some 30 meters, and slips up Adler Stuttgart cheered. The Swabians had then more of the game. Cacau met later with a 20-meter shot off the post (61) and eleven minutes from offside position. Then Reinartz and Kiessling made everything clear.

on the sidelines had been a reservist Ballack Bayer's most prominent long been warm, for the last 25 minutes he was on the ball then "I go with Michael as much about how with every other player. I can not determine in advance when a player comes off the bench. This is of course dependent on the course of the game, "said Heynckes before kickoff.

Leverkusen sporting director Rudi Voeller stated in the break: "He must exercise patience. This is not always that simple. "But you have enough in the coming weeks games. "I am glad that we have in a few weeks a fit Michael Ballack," said Voeller.

Source: Stuttgart-nachrichten.de