HERTHA BERLIN – VFB STUTTGART

It’s nearly confirmed: VfB Stuttgart will have to play in the playoff round to maintain the place in German Bundesliga. After the loss against Hertha Berlin and with just 2 match days to go, VfB’s advantage over the relegation zone in the table seems to be enough to avoid the fall.

The game with Hertha Berlin was quite even. Each team had the ball for nearly same time, and also had very similar number of accurate shots taken. But The Berliners had very significant advantage that afternoon: better shooters. Hertha had 13 shots on VfB’s goal, 6 of them were accurate and 3 of them find its way to the net. On the other hand, VfB had 15 shots but only a single one beat Hertha’s goalie. In 70th minute, Mario Gomez scored the only goal for VfB in this game. A few minutes earlier, the hosts had a chance to cheer due to their 3rd goal scored with Kalou as a hero. In the 1st half, Ibisevic and Duda scored also for the hosts. The final result was 3:1 for Hertha BSC Berlin.

With just 2 match days to go this season, VfB has 24 points and is on 16th place – the spot which guarantess the place in the playoff. Schalke 04 Gelsenkirchen holds the place above but has 7 points advantage with 6 points in total left to be scored. On the other hand, VfB has 5 points of advantage over FC Nuernberg which holds the 17th place. In theory, the closest neighbour of VfB in the table could made up the loss but needs 2 wins in a row.

If you consider FC Nuerbnerg’s overall disposition from the season, it seems quite impossible for this team to score total points. That’s why VfB should score at least one point in last 2 games but it still could feel quite safe before the playoff round.

Hertha Berlin – VfB Stuttgart 3:1 (2:0)
Goal for VfB: Mario Gomez (70.)