Matchday 20 @ Leverkusen (R)

Can we finally reverse out fortunes today?

It will not be easy against what is a strong Leverkusen side. If we could win today it would certainly be an upset.

Boulahrouz is back for this one, so he will return to start at RB.
Other than that, questions about the midfield: will Hajnal start on the left again, or will Okazaki, and in turn if he does does Hajnal start in the centre, or does Kuzmanovic? These are the points of contention.

I really hope we can turn it around. Good luck boys!

 

So, I got it wrong, big changes today:

- Boulahrouz is back starting at RB after Celozzi+Ruediger had to replace him last two games.
- Niedermeier gets the start over Maza alongside Tasci. I support this, Maza's form has been going down of late and Tasci/Niedermeier partnered well under Labbadia last season. Let's see how Niedermeier uses the opportunity.
- Gentner is fit and back in first 11, he partners Kvist in the centre.
- Changes on the wings. Okazaki is back as starter on the left wing.
- More surprisingly, Schieber gets the start at rightwing. We'll see how he does in that position. Harnik does not make the first 11 for the first time this season.


So, very interesting and different starting team. Will it work out?

 

1-0 Leverkusen. Bad start...

 

Goallll!!!!!!!!


Schieber's got his first!!!

Good free kick variant, he blasts it in low and hard. THIS is what he showed on a regular basis at FCN last season.


Back in the game boys! Let's go!

 

Game went into stalemate mode the last 20 minutes...1-1 HT.

I'm thrilled that we got back into the game after going behind, but we still have a long way to go if we are to take anything away from this, let alone a win.

On the new kids in the team:
The marking on Leverkusen's goal was awful, but in general Niedermeier has made for a stable partnership with Tasci thus far.
Boulahrouz showing more routine at RB than Celozzi/Ruediger were able to do.
Gentner has not contributed much to the game at all, he will have to become much more present in the second half or he will soon be taken off.
Okazaki has some decent moments, but generally does not impact enough.
Schieber on the wings has worked good so far, i'm thrilled he has now scored his first goal since returning. Here's to many more in a VfB shirt.
Ibisevic has not done enough at all. He has clearly not gelled in the side yet. In his defence, big opportunities have yet to be created for him in his first 1 1/2 games at our club: you know he can change a game the minute he is given an opportunity. Hopefully he will get it in the second half.

 

Well that was a good start to second half....anything that was talked over at halftime = useless now

 

Ibisevic served up well and has to do better there...he still seems shaky.

 

Now there he showed his skills--- I really want this guy to get his first goal today..

 

I feel Cacau has been significantly improved today - having a hitman in front of him definitely helps his game.

 

Red card for Kadlec - Leverkusen down to 10!

30 minutes still left in this, we must use this opportunity

 

Come on...we're pushing but the boys are super nervous in front of goal. 20 minutes left to make something stick..

 

Harnik in for Okazaki...15 minutes left.

 

Now Hajnal in for Kvist, with 11 mins left..

 

5 minutes left. The team is complaining a lot, but playing less.

 

yaahhhhhhhhhjhhhhh

 

Game is drawing down but Molinaro has quickly gotten himself sent off... I assume this is the last thing that will happen in this match