VfB Stuttgart - Pushing for Europe, 08/09 Season Thread Part III (R)

[Vfbstuttgartfan]

AUS!!!!

WE WIN.

Wow what an exciting game. Dortmund really gave it their all in the last minutes, credit to them. But we hold out!

Such a vital win!

[Rainer24]

Well, my girlfriend had me out shopping all day, so I didn't see or hear anything of the game, but the final scoreline looks great, so no complaints here. Now we just need the guys in front of us to lose a bit more.

[benztown]

Do you guys realize that we're now 3 points behind second place? Babbel has really worked his magic, at least in the Bundesliga. Who would have thought anything like that before Babbel gave his debut?

If our guys keep on giving it their best and accessing all their potential, an international spot is certainly possible.

[Vfbstuttgartfan]

Do you guys realize that we're now 3 points behind second place? Babbel has really worked his magic, at least in the Bundesliga. Who would have thought anything like that before Babbel gave his debut?

Yeah man - 9 Bundesliga games under Babbel: 6 wins, 3 draws, 0 losses. Amazing record.


If our guys keep on giving it their best and accessing all their potential, an international spot is certainly possible.

Given the circumstances we have to aim for a European spot. Making the top 5 should be our goal.

[Rainer24]

We're not playing any more cup competitions. It's all about the league.

[footyfan1]

Congrats on the well-deserved win guys! VfB was indeed the better, cleverer side.

Our guys put up a fight, but in the end, the right team won.

I feel like I should apologize for that shameful, disgusting, dive from Boateng in the 83rd minute. I thought he should have been booked.

Best of luck for the rest of the season!!!

[Syriaman]

Great congrats to us again!

Still unbeaten with Babbel,he broke the record from Matthias Sammer!:)

9 matches.

Beckenbauer kann diesmal die Schale für uns putzen,denn ich glaube wieder an die Meisterschaft!:D:p

[berloha]

I could imagine Stuttgart repeating something like 2006/2007.

Great job from Babbel so far.

[Rainer24]

It seems like Mario is scoring every game since we got back from the break. He's up to 13 in the league now. I don't doubt he gets to 20 as long as he stays healthy. Seems to be a pretty direct correlation between Gomez deciding to kick ass again and our improved fortunes. I don't care if I am biased as hell, he is the best young forward in the Bundesliga.

[Borussia]

It seems like Mario is scoring every game since we got back from the break.


That's really amazing. But well, if you get such perfect assists like that from my friend Roberto (just saw the highlights)...;)

Congrats on the win, Babbel's unbeaten run is getting scary in the meantime. :-)

[footyfan1]

It seems like Mario is scoring every game since we got back from the break. He's up to 13 in the league now. I don't doubt he gets to 20 as long as he stays healthy. Seems to be a pretty direct correlation between Gomez deciding to kick ass again and our improved fortunes. I don't care if I am biased as hell, he is the best young forward in the Bundesliga.


He saw all that shit I was talking about him and wanted to prove idiots like me wrong. :D

[Equilibrium]

He should no matter what score at least 30 goals this season. He needs to show progress and not stagnate as a young, 23 year old striker. I am confident he will score 30 though!

[berloha]

I have never understand why there are so many people underrating Gomez ? He has proved season for season that he is the best German striker with the very best technik, how many goals does he need to score to gain reputation ? I wanted him for Bayern badly this season.

Let's not forget that he does not have a strong midfield behind him like Bayern's striker oder Leverkusen, Hoffenheim forwards...so his goal machine needs even more to be respected.

[Rainer24]

I'm all for heaping praise upon Mario, but we have a pretty good midfield.

[Equilibrium]

I have never understand why there are so many people underrating Gomez ? He has proved season for season that he is the best German striker with the very best technik, how many goals does he need to score to gain reputation ? I wanted him for Bayern badly this season.

Let's not forget that he does not have a strong midfield behind him like Bayern's striker oder Leverkusen, Hoffenheim forwards...so his goal machine needs even more to be respected.
Completely agree, and I don't think Stuttgart's midfield is good. Decent but definitely not good. At least in my opinion.

[Vfbstuttgartfan]

Hitzlsperger-Khedira is one of the best midfield partnerships in the Bundesliga imo. But we are weaker on the wings.

EDIT: one of the best CENTRAL midfield partnerships...

[Equilibrium]

Hitz for about 3-4 months was average in the league. He basically started playing well the last 5-6 games, I'd hardly call it the best. Khedira had moments where he went on a run of good form and then was "ok" throughout other time during the season.

[kaiser kraut]

Well, I like our chances going into Bremen on Sunday. We're on good form and Bremen has an 0-3-3 mark in the league since the winter break. It also benefits us that Bremen will be occupied with their UEFA Cup match at midweek. Since their league season is quickly going downhill, I'd expect their focusing more on Cup success in UEFA and the Pokal. Hopefully we can keep them winless in 09 for yet another week.

[Rainer24]

Hitz for about 3-4 months was average in the league. He basically started playing well the last 5-6 games, I'd hardly call it the best. Khedira had moments where he went on a run of good form and then was "ok" throughout other time during the season.


Khedira is 21-years-old. Look at who is currently in the German National Team at CM and other young CMs in Germany. Sami is clearly among the best of them and stands a chance to have a substantial internatal career.

Hitzlsperger is already an international, even if his form hasn't been spectacular this season.

Hilbert has eight or ten caps for Germany already, which we all seem to forget about. I don't think he'll ever be a starter on the international level, but he's a pretty good player who has also been in pretty indifferent form for a large part of the season.

I have been fairly impressed with Lanig at times this season. He provides a real aerial threat that we kind of lack outside of Gomez.

Overall, I don't think our midfield is at all bad. I'd even rate it among the top four or five in the Bundesliga.

Where I think we are a big lacking is the outside backs. Osorio is solid, but never spectacular, and the LB spot has been terrible all season. Träsch shows some promise out there, so I hope he gets plenty of playing time as the season wears on.

[footyfan1]

Well, I like our chances going into Bremen on Sunday. We're on good form and Bremen has an 0-3-3 mark in the league since the winter break. It also benefits us that Bremen will be occupied with their UEFA Cup match at midweek. Since their league season is quickly going downhill, I'd expect their focusing more on Cup success in UEFA and the Pokal. Hopefully we can keep them winless in 09 for yet another week.


I think you guys are playing the best football in the league right now. And I think you can prove it not by just winning in Bremen next weekend, but in kicking Hertha's asses at your place on the 21st.