VfB Stuttgart Thread- Winter Pause und Ruckrunde 08-09[R]

[Rainer24]

Well, I'm not thrilled, but not despairing either. A 1-0 win at home is definitely doable, but I don't particularly trust out defense to keep a clean sheet at the moment. Frankly, the defense has been very bad lately.

[Equilibrium]

Ends a 2-1 loss. Could've equalised at the end, kinda disappointing that we didn't. But still not a bad result. Before the match I would've taken this score, and Zenit were honestly much better than us in the second half, so we're lucky we didn't conceed more.

I'd say we were slight underdogs before this match, and we're still slight underdogs. But we'll have a fair chance, we'll see what happens. It'll be very hard, but it's possible to beat them.
It's more of a 50-50 or slight advantage to you now really. Gomez should have finished at the end. Had he shot it the ball up instead of to the keeper (:confused:), would have been a definite equalizer.

[footyfan1]

It's more of a 50-50 or slight advantage to you now really. Gomez should have finished at the end. Had he shot it the ball up instead of to the keeper (:confused:), would have been a definite equalizer.


Well, with Tymoschuk and Anyukov suspended for the return leg, I like VfB's chances.

I also came here to say that I like the fact Mario Gomez is proving me and his other doubters wrong.

I think this was still a pretty decent result for VfB.

[Equilibrium]

Well, with Tymoschuk and Anyukov suspended for the return leg, I like VfB's chances.

I also came here to say that I like the fact Mario Gomez is proving me and his other doubters wrong.

I think this was still a pretty decent result for VfB.
He's proving what to doubters? That he isn't totally useless outside the Bundesliga?

It's great those two are suspended though, and now that Stuttgart plays at home. I say this, they better not screw this up! It's finally in your hands.

[footyfan1]

He's proving what to doubters? That he isn't totally useless outside the Bundesliga?

Dude, I don't think anyone said those words.

If the word "useless" was used to describe Gomez, it had to be in reference to the Germany shirt.

By all means, feel vindicated, but let's keep it real.

Besides, "useless" in Spanish is "Valdez", not "Gomez"! LOL!! :D ;)

[Rainer24]

Dude, I don't think anyone said those words.

If the word "useless" was used to describe Gomez, it had to be in reference to the Germany shirt.

By all means, feel vindicated, but let's keep it real.

Besides, "useless" in Spanish is "Valdez", not "Gomez"! LOL!! :D ;)


Haha.


Gomez is a goalscorer. That's something like eight goals for him in the competition so far. Lots of them against cupcakes, but he has also scored against the better teams we've faced, including tonight. Hopefully his for holds next week. Khedira will also hopefully be a bit closer to full strength by then. I like our chances, but I don't feel very confident either. I think we will need to score goals, as the defense has been so porous lately.

[Equilibrium]

Dude, I don't think anyone said those words.

If the word "useless" was used to describe Gomez, it had to be in reference to the Germany shirt.

By all means, feel vindicated, but let's keep it real.

Besides, "useless" in Spanish is "Valdez", not "Gomez"! LOL!! :D ;)
Dude, I wasn't sure what the doubters were saying or you. I simply needed a clarification.

That's number 22 by the way so far this season. :cool:

[Borussia]

I think this was still a pretty decent result for VfB.


I agree (especially when you have to play on such an unfamiliar "pitch"). Of course, a draw would have been better ;) ... but scoring an away goal, is always important! The missing of their "brain" and skipper Tymoshchuk (what a silly last-minute yellow he got :eek:) is a huge handicap for Zenit, so I definitely believe you can beat them in a hopefully sold-out stadium if you avoid an early lag!

Btw: I often wonder why Lanig is playing on the left wing. Never thought he'd be a good choice for that position (as a central midfielder à la Ballack)...

[+Gooner+]

Am I they only one a bit disappointed by Zenit? I honstely thought they would play up a storm and thrash VfB. :eek:

First half both teams were pretty much on par/Stuttgart were even the better team and especially in the first 30 minutes of the second half Stuttgart was no good and allowed too many chances but what use is it if Zenit ran more but didn't take their chances or didn't get past Lehmann? Mind you, when I imagine this match with Kahn in goal the one chance in the 82. minute would have been a goal for sure.

Anyway, I guess Zenit are pretty strong in away games as well. After all the kicked Leverkusen 1:4 off the park. And Stuttgart will have to attack and play an open game because they have to score. Zenit's counter attacking looked pretty dangerous and it will be a game that suits them. Losing their captain might be a handycap, though. And their goalie didn't look to good for Gomez's goal either. Lehmann got ripped apart for conceeding a goal like that against Leverkusen and that one even jumped up oddly in front of him. Does anyone know whether the guy is any good with crosses and stuff like that?

I'll keep my fingers crossed for VfB. I have the slight feeling that Zenit will show its real face in Stuttgart but there is definitely still a chance. The lads will have to score at least two, though, because I can't see them not conceeding.

[Vfbstuttgartfan]

I agree (especially when you have to play on such an unfamiliar "pitch"). Of course, a draw would have been better ;) ... but scoring an away goal, is always important! The missing of their "brain" and skipper Tymoshchuk (what a silly last-minute yellow he got :eek:) is a huge handicap for Zenit, so I definitely believe you can beat them in a hopefully sold-out stadium if you avoid an early lag!

Btw: I often wonder why Lanig is playing on the left wing. Never thought he'd be a good choice for that position (as a central midfielder à la Ballack)...

Totally agree regarding Tymoshchuk, his suspension will definitely help us a lot. He is probably their best player, and showed it with that great goal. The fact he won't be there in the return leg will certainly help us.

On Lanig:
He seems to be able to play everywhere. On either wing or as creator(although I don't think he's particularly good in the middle).

@Gooner
I didn't expect us to be thrashed. Zenit are weaker than they were last year and we have been playing well for a couple of months now. I'm looking forward to the return leg, we can do this if we perform at our best.

[footyfan1]

Dude, I wasn't sure what the doubters were saying or you. I simply needed a clarification.

That's number 22 by the way so far this season. :cool:


I don't think anyone went as far as to call him "useless."

As I said, if anyone did, they had to mean in the Germany shirt.


And I don't mind being proven wrong nor do I mind admitting it.


In this case, I'm glad to see this kid showing the world what he can do.

[Equilibrium]

Dude, I believe the reason Gomez is choking in the NT is because of psychological reasons and the way Loew uses him in the line-up rather than his skill. Like someone else said, once he starts to score, the gates will open. Remember he also scored 3 goals in 4 Champions League games, 2 vs Lyon. He also shined in the only game vs Barca, even hit the post and made Valdez pull off a great save on another instance. The guy scores a sh1t loads and against anybody, in any competition. The problem for the NT is a totally different matter.

[footyfan1]

Dude, I believe the reason Gomez is choking in the NT is because of psychological reasons and the way Loew uses him in the line-up rather than his skill. Like someone else said, once he starts to score, the gates will open. Remember he also scored 3 goals in 4 Champions League games, 2 vs Lyon. He also shined in the only game vs Barca, even hit the post and made Valdez pull off a great save on another instance. The guy scores a sh1t loads and against anybody, in any competition. The problem for the NT is a totally different matter.



Believe it or not, some in the game think about the following question:

"Does he perform so well for VfB because his love of VfB makes him perform better or is he really THAT good?"


That question might seem silly to you, but think a bit about it.

Some guys can seemingly only perform their best for one coach.

Some guys can seemingly only perform their best at one club.

Most guys can perform wherever they go, but some really seemingly only can do it for one coach or one club.

Believe it or not, many people in the game ask that question.

You're probably thinking Bayern should ask it more! LOL!!

Just kidding man. Bayern is one of the biggest clubs, so they are a special circumstance.


However, I have to say this.

Some of the sitters Gomez has missed in the national shirt is what brings up this skepticism from some.

He's had chances in the national shirt that we see him bury over and over for VfB.

You're right when you say that has everything to do with Mario Gomez's psyche.

As far as "when he does score, the floodgates will open", well, he's not scoreless in the national shirt is he? He has scored before (against cupcakes, yes, but he has scored) and the floodgates haven't opened.

There are some out there who believe he can only be as good as he is just for VfB for exactly the reason you gave about his not scoring the same way for the national team. His psyche.

I get that you're a huge fan and you see a lot in him. I do too.

Believe me, I think this kid is f#ckin' impressive.

But the main question will never be answered until he either:

1) Starts banging them in for the national team too.

or

2) Moves away from VfB and starts banging them in for his new club.


I hope he does do #1 and stays at VfB and continues to bang them in for them.

But the questions are out there. I'm not making this stuff up man.

The people I refer to may not be at BigSoccer, but these are experts asking these questions.

They're just not silly enough to do it publicly, whereas we are just fans having a discussion and as long as I don't put their names out there, we can discuss all we want. :D

[Vfbstuttgartfan]

Jens Lehmann: Kicker Rating: 2 - Our Best (7 cup games played, 3.29 avg. rating)
My Rating: 2.5 - Our Best

Ricardo Osorio: KR: 4 (5 cup games played, 3.80 avg. rating)
MR: 4

Serdar Tasci: KR: 3.5 (5 cup games played, 3.70 avg. rating)
MR: 3.5

Khalid Boulahrouz: KR: 4.5 (5 cup games played, 4 as starter, 4.38 avg. rating)
MR: 4

Ludovic Magnin: KR: 4 (6 cup games played, 5 as starter, 4.00 avg. rating)
MR: 3.5

Sami Khedira: KR: 3 (4 cup games played, 3.25 avg. rating)
MR: 3.5

Thomas Hitzlsperger: KR: 2.5 (7 cup games played, 6 as starter, 3.75 avg. rating)
MR: 3

Roberto Hilbert: KR: 3.5 (7 cup games played, 6 as starter, 3.57 avg. rating)
MR: 3.5

Martin Lanig: KR: 4.5 (7 cup games played, 6 as starter, 3.79 avg. rating)
MR: 4

Mario Gomez: KR: 3 (7 cup games played, 3.00 avg. rating)
MR: 3

Ciprian Marica: KR: 4 (6 cup games played, 5 as starter, 4.08 avg. rating)
MR: 4.5

SUBS:

Arthur Boka: KR: No Rating (6 cup games played, 3 as starter, 4.13 avg. rating)
MR: No Rating

Julian Schieber: KR: NR (1 cup game played, 0 as starter, no average rating)
MR: NR

[hackespitze123]

Good match yesterday guys, especially in the first half. A pity that you could not hold on to the draw. However, I think your chances to advance are still good, especially since Tymoschuk is banned for the second leg.

Zenit are actually similar to Stuttgart in many ways - they are a counter-attacking team, too, especially away, that's why you really need to be concentrated and focused at home, just clever so to say. But I'm confident that you will.

[Equilibrium]

I agree and see the way you think. I think he will succeed once he moves to a bigger club. The problem is that his psychological problem started during Euro, after he already banged them in. Since then, he hasn't scored and looks to try too hard to score now. Hell, Helmes has gotten very few chances but has been sh1t in the national team so far as well, it doesn't stop almost everyone in here butt loving him. Both could be very, very successful in the NT for the future, who knows. At least for club level, I believe if Gomez goes to Spain, Italy or Bayern, he will most likely succeed. Barcelona would be a dream imo if he didn't go to Bayern, I think he would run riot there with so many chances made for him and his ability to get into positions.

[★ ☆ ★]

Mario Gomez is Germany's Andy Cole :D

In all honesty though, forgive me as I just can't see anything so special about this guy. He seems rather one dimensional and is benefiting from all the right pieces at VfB. As a goal poacher he reminds me more of Ailton and Martin Max as opposed to true class like Toni and Van Nistelrooy.

If I were Mario, I'd concentrate on trying to bang in goals for the National Team first before dreaming of a move away from Stuttgart because I can see his career imploding if the latter were done first.

[footyfan1]

Good match yesterday guys, especially in the first half. A pity that you could not hold on to the draw. However, I think your chances to advance are still good, especially since Tymoschuk is banned for the second leg.

Zenit are actually similar to Stuttgart in many ways - they are a counter-attacking team, too, especially away, that's why you really need to be concentrated and focused at home, just clever so to say. But I'm confident that you will.


I think they can do it too. Especially with Tymoschuk being suspended. But they cannot allow Zenit to score first.

EDIT: I just stated the obvious, didn't I? :D

[Rainer24]

Mario Gomez is Germany's Andy Cole :D

In all honesty though, forgive me as I just can't see anything so special about this guy. He seems rather one dimensional and is benefiting from all the right pieces at VfB. As a goal poacher he reminds me more of Ailton and Martin Max as opposed to true class like Toni and Van Nistelrooy.

If I were Mario, I'd concentrate on trying to bang in goals for the National Team first before dreaming of a move away from Stuttgart because I can see his career imploding if the latter were done first.


Ouch. Mario is much more than a simple goal poacher.

[hackespitze123]

Especially since the goal he scored in the Zenit match was anything but a typical poachers' goal.


YouTube - Gol de Mario Gomez Zenit 1 - 1 Sttutgart UEFA