2018/19 Relegation Playoff Thread: VfB Stuttgart vs. Union Berlin

Discussion in 'VfB Stuttgart' started by el americano, May 22, 2019.

  1. el americano

    el americano Moderator
    Staff Member

    United States
    Jun 9, 2006
    San Francisco
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    #1 el americano, May 22, 2019
    Last edited: May 22, 2019
    VfB Stuttgart vs Union Berlin
    Mercedes-Benz Arena, Stuttgart
    Thursday, May 23 11:30am PST/2:30pm EST
    TV: Fox Soccer Plus, fuboTV (7-day free trial is just enough to see both legs ;-)

    Injured: Beck, Zuber (doubtful)
    Suspended: Ascacíbar

    The playoff to decide if it's been a terrible season or a disastrous season. The Bundesliga team has won 8 out of 10 of these, but often the play-off club was a distant third place. This year, Union was tied on points with Paderborn for second in the 2.BL. I'm thinking that Union won't be great, but still might be enough to send us packing if our defense hasn't sorted themselves out. Union got to this point with the league's best defense. For this first leg, we will concentrate on keeping their offense from scoring an away goal. It's nerve wracking to play the first match at home, when we don't know what to expect, but if we can carry a clear advantage into the second leg, it may work to our advantage.
     
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  2. Winoman

    Winoman Drinkin' Wine Spo-De-O-De!

    Jul 26, 2000
    Club:
    DC United
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Stating the obvious, but we absolutely must score some goals, and I don't mean 1-0 type games.

    The defense can't continue to give up goals after the 80/90 minute mark, and we must score multiple goals, or else we're going down.
     
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  3. el americano

    el americano Moderator
    Staff Member

    United States
    Jun 9, 2006
    San Francisco
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    For positive thinking, I did a sum of the market value of both starting line-ups.

    Source:
    https://www.transfermarkt.us/vfb-stuttgart/startseite/verein/79
    https://www.transfermarkt.us/1-fc-union-berlin/startseite/verein/89

    VfB Stuttgart: $105m
    Union Berlin: $15m

    So, it should be men against boys out there, right? On the other hand, some of our men could already be retired if they wanted: Badstuber, Gentner, and Gomez all starting. Let's see a valiant last stand, and they can ride off into the sunset.
     
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  4. el americano

    el americano Moderator
    Staff Member

    United States
    Jun 9, 2006
    San Francisco
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Underway...

    We look dangerous on the attack, but no goal after 20 min. Berlin had a golden opportunity that was kicked into Zieler's shoulder. I don't know if he could have reacted if that was a foot in any direction. A goal would be demoralizing. Get after it, boys!
     
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  5. el americano

    el americano Moderator
    Staff Member

    United States
    Jun 9, 2006
    San Francisco
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Goal! 1-0 Stuttgart
    Gonzalez broke away down the right, skipping over a tackle. He foresakes the 1v1 with the keeper, wide of the goal, and passes to Gentner in the middle, who scores!

    ...but, this is Stuttgart. Berlin plays a long ball off the restart, and Abdullahi beats Insua with his first touch and scores past Zieler from just inside the box. We are behind on away goals.

    Halftime 1-1
     
  6. el americano

    el americano Moderator
    Staff Member

    United States
    Jun 9, 2006
    San Francisco
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Second half, Mario Gomez on for Didavi. That away goal sucks. Even 0-0 wouldn't have been that bad.
     
  7. el americano

    el americano Moderator
    Staff Member

    United States
    Jun 9, 2006
    San Francisco
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Goal! 2-1 Stuttgart
    Mario Gomez got a forward pass in front of goal at the edge of the box. His shot is blocked by a defender, but it deflects off his head and goes in. I bit of luck to go along with a good opportunity.

    That has got them going. I hope they get more off this run of pressure.
     
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  8. el americano

    el americano Moderator
    Staff Member

    United States
    Jun 9, 2006
    San Francisco
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Goal 2-2.
    Unmarked on a corner. He was a little further out than the first line, but he got good power on it. We can only hope to get at least one more goal, so a draw in Berlin would keep our place. As it stands we have to win in the away leg.
     
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  9. el americano

    el americano Moderator
    Staff Member

    United States
    Jun 9, 2006
    San Francisco
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    72' Zuber on for Akolo.
    I hope he's 100%.
     
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  10. el americano

    el americano Moderator
    Staff Member

    United States
    Jun 9, 2006
    San Francisco
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    An open header for us. Right at the keeper. :mad:

    Followed by a missed kick by Kabak, which led to an open shot in front. Great streching save by Zieler. :eek:
     
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  11. Winoman

    Winoman Drinkin' Wine Spo-De-O-De!

    Jul 26, 2000
    Club:
    DC United
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    We were hit by a powerful electric storm and have no power, so I can't watch. I hope that there will be a replay, and that I'll want to watch it.
     
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  12. el americano

    el americano Moderator
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    United States
    Jun 9, 2006
    San Francisco
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    81' Esswein on for Gonzalez.
     
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  13. el americano

    el americano Moderator
    Staff Member

    United States
    Jun 9, 2006
    San Francisco
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    4 minutes of extra time. Good attacking pressure for the last 10 minutes. We could have had a lot more of that with our possession advantage.
     
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  14. el americano

    el americano Moderator
    Staff Member

    United States
    Jun 9, 2006
    San Francisco
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Wow! Another great save by Zieler to tip a header at the near post over the bar. :eek:
     
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  15. el americano

    el americano Moderator
    Staff Member

    United States
    Jun 9, 2006
    San Francisco
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Full time. We will have to win on the road. The fans leave very disappointed. I'm more resigned, myself. :unsure:
     
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  16. Winoman

    Winoman Drinkin' Wine Spo-De-O-De!

    Jul 26, 2000
    Club:
    DC United
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Looks like we're going to have to beat them in Berlin, or at least tie them, 2-2. I don't know if they can do it, to be honest.
     
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  17. el americano

    el americano Moderator
    Staff Member

    United States
    Jun 9, 2006
    San Francisco
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    We look like the better team, but they still created chances - more than us.

    Possession: 62% - 38%
    Shots: 12 - 16
    On Target: 5 - 6

    We should have the advantage there. Our man-to-man advantage was clear to see, but we lack the teamwork they have. We ought to win, I think, but I won't be surprised if we give up a simple goal or two. I have no confidence.
     
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  18. Winoman

    Winoman Drinkin' Wine Spo-De-O-De!

    Jul 26, 2000
    Club:
    DC United
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Unfortunately, I think you're right! This team could ******** up a free meal. :mad:
     
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  19. el americano

    el americano Moderator
    Staff Member

    United States
    Jun 9, 2006
    San Francisco
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Time to turn this around. Let's get an early goal and put on the pressure!

    Union Berlin vs VfB Stuttgart Second Leg (2-2 agg.) starts now.
     
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  20. el americano

    el americano Moderator
    Staff Member

    United States
    Jun 9, 2006
    San Francisco
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Aogo scores on a free kick!! Beautiful shot clears the wall and lands in the side netting.

    ...and it's taken away for interference. :mad: He made no attempt on the ball, but he was offside in the 6 yard box.
     
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  21. el americano

    el americano Moderator
    Staff Member

    United States
    Jun 9, 2006
    San Francisco
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Kabak and Badstuber clash trying to head the ball. Both are bleeding, but they stay on. We're getting some bad breaks here. The longer it goes without scoring, the worse I'm feeling.
     
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  22. el americano

    el americano Moderator
    Staff Member

    United States
    Jun 9, 2006
    San Francisco
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    They're playing better. They have more shots, and not giving Berlin any good chances. Unfortunately, our chances are long range or crosses that are knocked away. This is dragging on, and time is ebbing away.
     
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  23. Winoman

    Winoman Drinkin' Wine Spo-De-O-De!

    Jul 26, 2000
    Club:
    DC United
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Again, we've had the lion's share of possession, but can't do anything with it. If we don't beat them 1-0, or 2-1, we're toast.
     
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  24. el americano

    el americano Moderator
    Staff Member

    United States
    Jun 9, 2006
    San Francisco
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Half Time.

    45 minutes from the end of our Bundesliga status. Haven't allowed them a shot on goal, I think, but after the disallowed goal, we have to score or go home.
     
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  25. el americano

    el americano Moderator
    Staff Member

    United States
    Jun 9, 2006
    San Francisco
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Gomez on after half time.
     

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