VfB Stuttgart vs Hertha Berlin Bundesliga Sunday, January 13, 3:30 PM Mercedes-Benz Arena Injured: Zimmermann, Ailton (VfB) Referee: Felix Brych Not a lot separating these two team in terms of quality, I thought we were better on the ball, but they held in the edge in time of possession. The same number of shots, but neither side could get it on goal. In the end, an own goal gave us the win, although it looked like Gómez was fouled in the box - foul not given - the defender tried to clear it from him and only managed to get it over his keeper. We were due for some luck after several 1-0 losses. More luck came in the form of Kalou missing an open header in front of goal. The result leaves us in 13th. We look likely to end the season in the 11-15 range, but it hurts that we recently lost to both Werder and HSV. Those matches would only have pushed us to 11th, but there'd be a huge gap to the relegation places. Instead those teams are still alive, and there's only a 4 point gap. If we beat the teams below us, survival will be assured. Next up, Mainz (A), who is below us. They just knocked us out of the DFB Cup, so it's hard to be optimistic, but it will be important to finish above Freiburg, Mainz, Werder, HSV, and Köln. Not as comfortable as we might like, but still B1.
Mainz beat us again last week, and we just lost to Schalke today. We're in the last spot above the relegation zone, ahead by only 4 points. With no attack, no midfield, and no defense, it's looking like VfB may go back down to the B2. WTF has happened to this team?