[Vfbstuttgartfan]

Figured it was about time we create a new thread for the season ahead of the upcoming decisive UI Cup match.

[Rainer24]

Come on 2-0!

[sean4stuttgart]

i will be in attendance so they BETTER put in a good performance!

[Vfbstuttgartfan]

Well, I won't have internet until after the game, so Im crossing my fingers and hoping for the best tomorrow. It would be a real shame if we didnt qualify, I must admit id be really pissed off if the team just throw away a situation which they played for all of last season to reach.

I know we have a good chance still, but for some reason im very pessimistic and ill go as far as saying I expect us to be eliminated tomorrow. Just a gut feeling, I can only hope its totally wrong.

Here's how i'd like us to play tomorrow, keeping in mind the realistic options, such as excluding Gomez, Lehmann, Hitz, etc. :
-----------Stolz
Osorio--Tasci--Delpierre--Boka
-----------Pardo
---Hilbert--------Khedira
-----------Simak
-----Cacau------Fischer

Now here's how I THINK we'll play:
-----------Stolz
--Hilbert---Tasci----Delpierre---Boka
---------------Pardo
-------Khedira--------Basturk
---------------Simak
----------Cacau----Marica

Reasons for the changes:
I believe Osorio is now fit enough to start the game and return to his rightback spot, thereby allowing Hilbert back into the midfield, where he is much better. However, I think Veh will be cautious with playing Osorio and will therefore keep Hilbert as the rightback, even though he clearly doesnt play as well in the position and would be much more useful further up. I don't think Basturk should start either as he's been invisible in all the friendly matches we've played so far and was our worst midfielder in the first leg - but if Hilbert plays in defense that'll leave a spot open for Basturk in tomorrow's first eleven, since I don't think Lanig will get the nod in such a situation.

Finally in attack there's the question of who will partner Cacau. Well, first of all, I can't say I want to hear anything about Ljuboja. Besides the obvious reasons for disliking him, one must also keep in mind that he was at best a solid striker for us, though never a brilliant one, and has since gone on to have two very unprolific seasons with two failed loans, not able to seal a move in either HSV or Wolfsburg, and he had a very bad match in the first leg. So I don't see any use in planning with him. I'd rather start Marica, although he too did not do brilliantly in the first leg. For me, therefore, Fischer would be the best option - young, ultra-talented, solid in the friendlies, and least bad of the 4 strikers in the first leg, mainly because he played the least minutes I guess.

But whatever, we'll see what happens. It's a VERY VERY important match and I hope we'll get through it.

[Projekt4]

Not looking too good for Stuttgart at half time, very dominant but barely threatening.

[Rainer24]

Marica! Marica! Marica!


Yeah, booooooooyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!!!!

[The Old Lady Hertha]

Congrats Stuttgart!

Didn't look good for awhile there, but good thing for Marica

[Borussia]

GLÜCKWUNSCH!

It seems to have been a very tough game for you, though.

[Rainer24]

Drawing these Russian teams is tough because they're in the middle of their season at this point. Just glad we got through this one.

[sean4stuttgart]

yea, was a tough game- stuttgart obviously dominated the game, but they could NOT finish worth anything- im glad they won, because leading up to the game i think it meant more to the fans then the team to be in the uefa cup, what happened to cacau??? and now we go into a draw on friday correct? but that draw leads to what????