VfB at home against Bayern Munich this coming Saturday. I don't expect any points from this match. Expected lineup: Kalajdzic Castro, Didavi Sosa, Endo, Mangala, Wamangituka Kempf, Anton, Stenzel Kobel Gonzalez out for several weeks with a slight ligament tear in one knee. Too bad. He was the mover and shaker on offense. Both Endo and Sosa have signed contract extensions, which is good news.
Agreed. If they can manage a draw in this one, that's aces. It really hurts that Gonzalez is out for a while, but hopefully, someone else will rise to the occasion. Didavi, anyone?
Actual starting lineup, surprising. Wamangituka Coulibaly, Castro, Forster Mangala, Endo Sosa, Kempf, Anton, Mavropanos Kobel 4-2-3-1
20' VfB catch Bayern on the break, Wamangituka streaks down the right and crosses to Coulibaly in the middle, 1-0.
45' Lewandoski hammers one home, 1-2. Kobel got a glove on each of the goals but not enough to push the shots wide.
Wamangituka and Klimowicz come down on a break and Silas takes the ball BACK into the pile of defenders so that no shot is possible. Bad decisions in the offensive end. He had space on the side to go to the touch line.
Week 9: 2-5-2 11 points VfB end their 7 match unbeaten streak going down to Bayern Munich 1-3 at home. They put forth an awesome effort, but in the end their offensive zone passing and decision making let them down. Coulibaly picked up his first 1.B goal off an assist from Silas. Forster started his first match, but even though he takes up good positions, his decision making explains why he isn't a regular starter. Goals - Assists Kalajdzic 3 - 3 Wamangituka 3 - 2 Gonzalez 3 - 1 Castro 2 - 1 Didavi 1 - 2 Kempf 2 - 0 Klimowicz 1 - 1 Coulibaly 1 - 0 Mangala 1 - 0 Klement 0 - 1 Endo 0 - 1 Goals scored: 17 Goals conceded: 15 Clean sheets: 1
Thanks for posting @Teak ! I wasn't able to watch, but was hoping for the best when I saw the score was 0-1. I was hoping for a win or draw when the score was 1-1, then still hoping for a draw when it was 1-2. We weren't counting on any points before today, and I guess we weren't disappointed!
Werder Bremen - VfB Stuttgart @ 15:30 Sunday (08:30 Grain Belt time) in Bremen. Expected lineup: Kobel - Mavropanos, Anton, Kempf - Silas, Mangala, Endo, Sosa - Klimowicz, Castro (c) - Kalajdzic Gonzalez might be fit enough to make the bench, which would be good news.
Starting lineup in a 4-5-1 formation, or more likely 4-2-3-1 Kalajdzic Coulibaly, Castro, Wamangituka Endo, Mangala Sosa, Kempf, Anton, Mavropanos Kobel
0-1 at the half. Stenzel coming in for Mavropanos for the second half. Mavropanos picked up a yellow card, and then another foul immediately afterwards, but ref went easy on him. So I suspect trainer didn't want to risk a second yellow. Too bad, because Mavropanos brings offense to the game, something Stenzel doesn't.
90' Wamangituka steals a back pass from the Bremen keeper and slowly walks the ball into the net, 0-2. He gets yellow carded for unsportsman behaviour along with a Bremen defender who was offended by the action and shoved Silas. Stupid. He was simply killing the extra time before putting the ball away.
90+3' Bremen score off ping-pong ball in the Stuttgart box to make the final 2 minutes a bit nervy, 1-2.
Week 10: 3-5-2 14 points VfB pick up their third away win, beating Werder 1-2 in Bremen. Wamangituka with a brace, the first from a PK and the second after stealing a back pass from the Bremen keeper. Sosa also played an outstanding match along the left flank, creating most of the chances in the match. Goals - Assists Wamangituka 5 - 2 Kalajdzic 3 - 3 Gonzalez 3 - 1 Castro 2 - 1 Didavi 1 - 2 Kempf 2 - 0 Klimowicz 1 - 1 Coulibaly 1 - 0 Mangala 1 - 0 Klement 0 - 1 Endo 0 - 1 Goals scored: 19 Goals conceded: 16 Clean sheets: 1
Mattarazo agreed Silas' second goal was unsportsmanlike. I thought he'd be appealing the decision. They allow defenders to hold the ball in the corner, which is easier to do and a longer delay. He's earned his position fairly. It's not his fault the defender gives up on the play. Goalkeepers routinely force opponents to make them pick up the ball. I'm offended that he was carded. He even kept his cool when Selke threatened him. Fair play!