CM10: Life after Mario Gomez

[m_vaughan]

February 2012 Update
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Results

04/02/2012 - Bundesliga Match 21
Hertha Berlin SC 0-2 VfB Stuttgart
23 - Mavuba
31 - Kuzmanovic
Stuttgart took revenge against Hertha for defeat in the reverse fixture this season. Man of the match Rio Mavuba gave the visitors the lead in the 23rd minute with a long range piledriver before Zdravko Kuzmanovic headed home from close range to double the advantage. The home side were second best for most of the game with just 6 shots on goal (4 on target) compared to Stuttgart's 13 (6 on target).


11/02/2012 - Bundesliga Match 22
VfB Stuttgart 0-1 Borussia Dortmund
52 - Zidan
In an evenly contested game it was a moment of individual brilliance from Borussia Dortmund striker, Mohammad Zidan, that made the difference at the Mercedes Benz Arena. The Egyptian striker controlled the ball with his chest after receiving a cross from Branko Ilic from the right, turned back and smashed the ball into the Stuttgart goal. All this despite being marked by Marek Suchy.


18/02/2012 - Bundesliga Match 23
Hoffenheim 1-1 VfB Stuttgart
9 - Ballack
82 - Tagoe
Stuttgart appeared to be on route to victory after Michael Ballack's early goal but Ghanian striker Prince Tagoe struck late to ensure that Hoffenheim had a share of the spoils.


25/02/2012 - Bundesliga Match 24
VfB Stuttgart 0-0 SC Freiburg
Despite having Michael Ballack sent off in the second half, VfB Stuttgart had enough chances to win this game but in the end had to settle for another draw which damages their chances of a Champions League football next season.

Bundesliga standings

Player stats

March 2012 Fixtures

Stuttgart's attempts to make Christoph Metzelder's loan deal permanent has been accepted by Real Madrid but the player himself has decided to wait till the end of the season before making his call on the matter. Markus Babbel was one of several managers linked to FC Koln's managerial seat following the sacking of Zvonimir Soldo. Joachim Low has now taken over at the bottom of the tale club.​

 

[m_vaughan]

March 2012 Update
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Results

03/03/2012 - Bundesliga Match 25
Erzgebirge Aue 2-4 VfB Stuttgart
10 - Llorente
14 - Luiz Carlos
17 - Thurk
29 - Sararer
39 - Llorente
45+2 - Llorente
Stuttgart picked up all three points at relegation threatened Aue in a game where all six goals were scored in the first half. Joseba Llorente, on loan from Villarreal CF, scored his first hat-trick for VfB Stuttgart.


10/03/2012 - Bundesliga Match 26
FC Kaiserslautern 0-0 VfB Stuttgart
FCK enjoyed more time on the ball but VfB clearly had the better chances in this game with best one falling to Michael Ballack in the first half but the former German captain's finishing touches were far from satisfactory.


17/03/2012 - Bundesliga Match 27
Eintracht Frankfurt 1-1 VfB Stuttgart
45 - Khedira
81 - Ilicevic
Markus Babbel's side were yet again denied three points in the final 10 minutes of a game as Croatian attacking midfielder Ivo Ilicevic bundled home from close range to ensure Eintracht stayed ahead of Stuttgart in the standings.


24/03/2012 - Bundesliga Match 28
VfB Stuttgart 3-2 VfL Wolfsburg
26 - Sararer
52 - Martins
55 - Hitzlsperger
73 - Martins
90+3 - Kuzmanovic
In another game between two sides with European aspirations next season it was the hosts who came on top in the end with Zdravko Kuzmanovic's late late strike sealing the game.


31/03/2012 - Bundesliga Match 29
HSV Hamburg 3-1 VfB Stuttgart
47 - Maldonado
52 - Maldonado
62 - Basturk
69 - Kuzmanovic
Zdravko Kuzmanovic once again scored the final goal of the game but unlike against Wolfsburg, this was just a consolation after Hamburg had put three past Stuttgart with Giancarlo Maldonando scoring a brace himself.

Bundesliga standings

Player stats

April 2012 Fixtures

Stuttgart manager Markus Babbel admitted this month that his team's chances of qualifying for the Champions League are effectively over but claims that they will fight till the end. On the injury front Stuttgart played most of the month without the services of Marcell Jansen and Timo Gebhart.​

 

[m_vaughan]

April 2012 Update
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Results

07/04/2012 - Bundesliga Match 30
VfB Stuttgart 0-0 MSV Duisburg
Stuttgart outside chances of finishing in the top three are almost certainly over after they only managed to pick up a point at home against Duisburg, who are still not safe from relegation. What was actually alarming was the fact that after the first 30 minutes, the visitors dominated the game and had the overall better chances. Costel Pantilimon produced one particularly brilliant save to deny Chinedu Ede.

14/04/2012 - Bundesliga Match 31
FC Koln 1-0 VfB Stuttgart
12 - Schlaudraff
FC Koln were the second best side in this game but a first half wonder goal from Jan Schlaudraff handed them all three points against a Stuttgart side who now face a battle to get any sort of European football next season. Man of the match Sami Khedira threatened for the visitors but there was to be no breakthrough.

21/04/2012 - Bundesliga Match 32
VfB Stuttgart 0-1 Energie Cottbus
27 - Kalaba
VfB Stuttgart's poor form continued as Rainford Kalaba's goal handed the Swabians a shocking home defeat. Despite having 56% ball possession, Markus Babbel's side managed just three shots on goal all game.

28/04/2012 - Bundesliga Match 33
Bayern Munich 1-0 VfB Stuttgart
61 - Klose
Bayern Munich clinched their 23rd Bundesliga title and third consecutive one with a hard fought 1-0 victory over rivals VfB Stuttgart. The hosts had the better chances and prior to Klose's second half goal, they could have found the back of the net through Mario Gomez and Arjen Robben but Costel Pantilimon came on top on both occasions. Joseba Llorente had the best chance of the game for the visitors who are now gauranteed no European football next season.

Bundesliga standings

Player stats

May 2012 Fixtures

With Stuttgart failing to qualify for European competition this season, Markus Babbel's job is now rumoured to be in doubt. The 39-year old had received the board's backing earlier but tabloid reports seem to indicate that was no longer the case. The fans seem divided on the issue while the players have come out in support of their manager.​

 

[treva]

Rough season after the one you had last. Hopefully a few signings will sort out the weaknesses and you'll be challenging again next season.

 

[mattfb]

Yeah, hopefully you can turn it all around next season. Good luck.

 

[m_vaughan]

May 2012 Update
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Results

05/05/2012 - Bundesliga Match 34
VfB Stuttgart 0-0 Werder Bremen
Stuttgart held third place Werder Bremen to a draw at the Mercedes Benz Arena and were probably the better side on the night. They had a total of 6 shots on goal compared to Werder's 4 and also enjoyed more time on the ball. Bremen's third place was already sealed prior to the game so the result had no really significance on their season.

Bundesliga standings

Player stats

Stuttgart finished the season in 11th position which is their worst since the 2000-01 season when they ended 15th. This after having come second for the last two years and having won the title only four seasons back. Markus Babbel is almost certain to get the sack.​

 

[m_vaughan]

CHAMPIONS AROUND THE WORLD


Germany
Bundesliga: Bayern Munich
DFB-Pokal: Bayern Munich
DFB Liga-Pokal: Bayern Munich


Europe
Champions League: Barcelona
Europa League: Werder Bremen
Super Cup: Liverpool


World
Club World Championship: Liverpool


Spain
Liga BBVA: Sevilla
Copa del Rey: Valencia
Super Copa: Barcelona


England
Premier League: Manchester United
FA Cup: Manchester United
Carling Cup: Arsenal
Community Shield: Wigan

Italy
Serie A: Inter Milan
Coppa Italia: Napoli
Super Coppa: Inter Milan


France
Ligue 1: Olympique Marseille
Coupe de France: Auxerre
Coupe de la Ligue: Marseille
Trophee des champions: Marseille


Portugal
Liga Sagres: Sporting Lisbon
Taca de Portugal: Pacos de Ferreira
Liga de Portugal: Porto
Supertaca de Portugal: Sporting Lisbon


Holland
Eredivisie: Ajax Amsterdam
KNVB Cup: FC Twente
Johan Cruyff Shield: AZ Alkmaar


Turkey
Super Lig: Fenerbahce
Turkiye Kupasi: Besiktas
Super Kupa: Besiktas


Belgium
Jupiler Pro League: Anderlecht
Cofidis Cup: Mechelen
Super Cup: Gent


Greece
Super League: PAOK
Greek Cup: Asteras Tripolis
Greek Super Cup: AEK Athens


Russia
Premier League: Lokomotiv Moscow
National Cup: FC Rostov
Super Cup: Rubin Kazan​

 

[m_vaughan]

France beat defending champions Spain to win Euro 2012

A brace from Hatem Ben Arfa handed France their third European Championship as they beat defending champions Spain by two goals to one at the Olympic national stadium in Kiev.

The Spanish started the game as favourites but found themselves a goal down as early as the 4th minute. Lassana Diarra's long ball released Ben Arfa on the left flank, and the Tottenham Hotspur winger finished his move with a perfectly angled shot that Iker Casillas was unable to keep out.

Spain were restricted to half chances as they found themselves victims of more resolute French defending in a first half of frustration for the Euro 2008 winners.


David Villa was always the main source of Spanish danger, and he almost created a goal for Fernando Torres just before the break. He left a trail of French defenders in his wake before flashing a centre across the face of goal, which Torres touched but could not turn in.

Raymond Domenech brought in Samir Nasri for the second half and the Manchester United player helped the French up their game by always posing a threat on the counter and being able to link up well with Karim Benzema.

Nasri then won his side a crucial penalty in the 72nd minute when he was brought down in the box by Real Madrid defender, Raul Albiol. Ben Arfa stood up to take the kick and blasted the ball to the left hand corner with Casillas barely able to move.

With a 2-0 cushion, France then appeared to relax a bit too much and despite the introduction of an additional defensive midfielder in Mathieu Flamini, they conceded a goal less than ten minutes later.

Javi Martinez who had come on for Andres Iniesta completed a brilliant one two with David Villa after being initially released by Raul Garcia. The Basque star then skipped past Abdoulay Konko and found the back of the net off the near post.
That goal set up a tense finale to the game and the Spanish nearly found their equaliser when David Villa rose to head a cross from Adrian Gonzalez from the right but Hugo Lloris reacted brilliantly to put it above his goal as the French held on to seal their third European championship.

 

[m_vaughan]

Stuttgart sack Babbel and name Gross as replacement

Bundesliga side VfB Stuttgart have sacked coach Markus Babbel after enduring a disappointing season, and appointed Swiss Christian Gross as his successor.

Gross, formerly with FC Basel, takes over on a contract that runs until 2013 initially.

?I am excited about this opportunity. Stuttgart are one of the best teams in Germany and I want to take them back near the top of the table,? the 57-year-old Gross said in a hastily arranged news conference.

?Markus Babbel did an amazing job for three seasons in a row and should be proud of his achievement here,? he added, before leaving back for Switzerland.

Stuttgart who were expected to be challenging for the title this season, finished at a disappointing eleventh place. They were also knocked out early in the Champions League and DFB Pokal. This was a sharp contrast to last season when they were one game away from winning the title and reached the semi-final of the Champions League.

?We achieved amazing things together,? Babbel told reporters after the club announced his sacking in a statement.

?I wish the new coaching staff all the best and hope they will find the button to reignite the team. I did not find that button this season.?

 

[m_vaughan]

June/July 2012 Update​

Transfers:
IN

OUT

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Results

02/07/2012 - Friendly
Hannover 96 0-0 VfB Stuttgart​

05/07/2012 - Friendly
VfB Stuttgart 1-1 Greuther Furth
16 - Rahn
41 - Negredo

13/07/2012 - Friendly
VfB Stuttgart 1-3 Bordeaux
14 - Cavenaghi
15 - Kuzmanovic
22 - Cavenaghi
67 - Cavenaghi

28/07/2012 - Friendly
VfB Stuttgart 2-1 FC Porto
21 - Negredo
24 - Alves
43 - Khedira


August fixtures

Inconsistent preseason for new Stuttgart manager Christian Gross. New signing Alvaro Negredo finding the back of the net on two occasions though and his partnership with Sercan Sararer looks impressive and promising.​

 

[shantanu_rooney]

Some really great signings there, Negredo will be the man to replace Mario Gomez now and nice to see Jerome Boateng also in the new comers list.