Six matchdays have now been played in the 2017/2018 season – three of which taking place within one week. One White-Red took a look back on the past week’s action:
The tally
One win, one draw and one defeat add up to four points on the VfB account over the past week.
The home run
The Cannstatt Boys had two home games in the past week – and the Wasenelf’s home run continues. With the 1-0 win over Wolfsburg and the goal-less draw against FC Augsburg, the Cannstatt Boys remain unbeaten at the Mercedes-Benz Arena in 2017. In nine of those twelve games, VfB left the field of play as winners. In the 2017/2018 season, Hannes Wolf’s men have taken seven points from three home matches – and that without conceding.
Defensive stability
Impressive defensive performances have been VfB’s trump card thus far this season. On Saturday, Holger Badstuber & Co. were again unbreached by FC Augsburg and again had Ron-Robert Zieler as a capable last line of defence – as in injury-time against VfL Wolfsburg, when the 28-year-old stopped a shot from distance by Paul-Georges N’tep to secure the three points for his side. The keeper was then perfectly placed again to deny Philipp Max in the final five minutes against FCA. Upon his return, Holger Badstuber also impressed with his quota of challenges won against Augsburg, with the central-defender deciding some 90% of the challenges in his favour. “We proved very strong today so far as our defensive stability was concerned,” noted Hannes Wolf following the clash with Augsburg.
Premiere
The 0-0 draw between VfB and FC Augsburg was the first drawn game for both sides so far this season.
Personnel
Sportingly, VfB made a good start to a busy week of action with a 1-0 against VfL Wolfsburg – although Hannes Wolf did have some personnel set-backs to deal with. Christian Gentner suffered a serious facial injury following a clash with the opposition goalkeeper and will duly miss out for a longer period, whilst goal-scorer Chadrac Akolo incurred a thigh injury. However, two further VfB players returned convincingly for the clash with Augsburg. Holger Badstuber impressed over the full ninety minutes, whilst Daniel Ginczek was involved for twenty minutes and had a good chance to score against FCA. "I had goose-bumps upon my introduction. It’s wonderful to be cheered on by the fans that way. With a little luck I could also have scored," explained Daniel Ginczek in an interview with VfB TV.
Fans
55,202 watched VfB’s home clash with FC Augsburg on Saturday – the biggest crowd at the Mercedes-Benz Arena so far this season. Some 158,802 fans have watched Stuttgart’s home game this season – an average of 52,934 per match.
Anniversary
Mascot Fritzle would have loved to have celebrated a goal against FCA on Saturday – but VfB’s crocodile didn’t get to enjoy a goal for his VfB this weekend. On the occasion of the mascot’s 25th birthday, the team took to the pitch in specially designed jerseys, with a green number and a picture of the mascot on the front.