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Game fighters: VfB Stuttgart have some really exciting players this season: Silas Wamangituka, for example, or the tall Austrian Sasa Kalajdzic. But obviously that’s not enough – so CEO Thomas Hitzlsperger and President Claus Vogt had to improve and with their fierce leadership feud they ensured that the blood pressure of VfB fans actually rose during the turn of the year. Usually such a thing does not lead to sports success.
Game result: So it was this time too! The VfB, the top scorers of the season, lost the start of the year against RB Leipzig 0: 1 (0: 0). The goal of the day was scored by Dani Olmo in the 67th minute and, therefore, insufficiently demonstrated the dominance of the guests. Leipzig remains the leader of the table, as you can read in more detail in the match report here.
The first half: From the beginning, Leipzig was the most mature team, followed by VfB, sometimes panting after them. But RB coach Julian Nagelsmann will again have to grapple with the issue of exploiting opportunities in a multi-week training seminar. Even a controversial penalty kick wasn’t enough for the guests to lead. VfB goalkeeper Gregor Kobel took Emil Forsberg’s shot out with artistic action.
The second half: Leipzig’s superiority increased again and this time it was rewarded. Dani Olmo successfully completed an Angelino cross at the far post. VfB really recognized its limits in this game for the first time this season. Meanwhile the stats stood at 19: 6 shots on goal in favor of the guests and yet the game would have almost ended in a draw when Waldemar Anton missed shortly before the end of free position against RB goalkeeper Peter Gulasci . But that wouldn’t have been fair either. On the other hand, when was football fair?
Game player: Meanwhile, Angelino from Leipzig has been filled with such self-confidence that everything seems to be working out for him. Play side, side, playmaker, clock generator, goal scorer all in one person and at the same time. RB’s outstanding player this season.
Game (wrong) decision: In the 22nd minute, Leipzig’s Emil Forsberg stepped on his opponent Stenzel in the penalty area, both of them came closer than the distance rules allow, and referee Christian Dingert decided a penalty. No rules revolution will start on a cloudy January day in Stuttgart, but the standards of what is necessary to impose a situation that is normally as decisive as a penalty shot must be reconsidered from time to time. In reality, such a situation should not result in a penalty.
Game dialogue: Hitzlsperger vs. Vogt, third round. In the lead-up to the game, they both spoke to each other and expressed goodwill, apparently a good resolution made by both of them at the fireworks table on New Years Eve. It was said later, “a conversation between men”, and that sounds pretty scary. But if it serves the cause, so be it.
Quote from the game: “Nobody is bigger than the club and its members.” A fan banner in front of the Stuttgart stadium comments on the VfB leadership dispute, and that says it all.
Knowledge of the game: Leipzig are the only team that can almost challenge FC Bayern this season. And that’s probably a sentence that will be read more frequently for years to come.
