On Saturday (kick-off 15:30 CET), VfB play their final home game of the season against TSG Hoffenheim. In the again capacity-filled Mercedes-Benz Arena, the team in the shirts with the infamous red hoop will be looking to confirm their home strength and celebrate the end of an ultimately successful season together with the White-Red fateful.
Impressive tally in front of the home crowd
On their own turf, VfB have won nine of their sixteen Bundesliga games, with Ron-Robert Zieler and his colleagues accumulating nine clean-sheets, whilst suffering only three defeats. Two-thirds of the Cannstatt Boys points this season, i.e. 31 from 45, were claimed at the Mercedes-Benz Arena, putting VfB in fifth place in the home table. All that is reason enough for us to review the home highlights throughout the 2017/2018 season.
VfB – 1. FSV Mainz 05 1-0 (Matchday 2)
In their first home game, VfB registered a deserved 1-0 victory on their return to the Bundesliga. Three of the club’s new signings had a major role to play in the positive home start: Keeper Ron-Robert Zieler kept a clean-sheet, Holger Badstuber crowned his starting eleven debut with a powerful diving header to decide the tie, whilst Dennis Aogo provided the telling delivery from the left corner-flag.
VfB – VfL Wolfsburg 1-0 (Matchday 4)
Against Wolfsburg, VfB extended their home run, comprehensively dating back to the previous season, to eleven games without defeat – and equally without conceding. The golden-goal on the day was scored by Chadrac Akolo shortly before the break. However, a head injury to Christian Gentner somewhat overshadowed the win. In the 84th minute, the VfB captain collided with VfL keeper Koen Casteels and was subsequently side-lined for two months, before returning in November donning a protective mask.
VfB – FC Augsburg 0-0 (Matchday 6)
Another clean-sheet! Ron-Robert Zieler’s goal was again impenetrable for the third home game of the season. Following another solid defensive performance, VfB and Augsburg shared the spoils in the Swabian derby. On the day, VfB celebrated the 25th birthday of mascot Fritzle with a specially designed jersey.
VfB – 1. FC Köln 2-1 (Matchday 8)
At the end of a tense affair, VfB left the field of play as the fortunate winners over 1. FC Köln. Thanks to a last-gasp winner by Chadrac Akolo, to make it 2-1 in the 94th minute, the side in the shirts with the infamous red hoop moved on to four home games without defeat.
VfB – SC Freiburg 3-0 (Matchday 10)
In the Baden-Württemberg derby against SC Freiburg, the Cannstatt Boys not only celebrated their fourth win in five home games, but also clocked up their most significant victory of the current season. Daniel Ginczek (38’), Benjamin Pavard (45’+4) and Simon Terrode (82’) were on target for the hosts.
VfB – Borussia Dortmund 2-1 (Matchday 12)
The celebration after the 2-1 win over Borussia Dortmund in the Friday evening game were extensive. VfB notched up their fifth home win in six games, moving on to an impressive 15 games in succession without defeat at the Mercedes-Benz Arena. Wearing the specially designed VfB x 0711 city-shirt, the Wasenelf again displayed their home strength, claiming the club’s 500th home victory in their Bundesliga history. Then, in the following home game on December 8th, VfB were beaten by Bayer Leverkusen – the team’s first home defeat in 2017.
VfB – FC Bayern München 0-1 (Matchday 17)
In the clash with the all-time record German championship winners, the side in the shirts with the infamous red hoop battled hard and put on a committed performance – however with an ultimately tragic finish. VfB demanded everything Bayern Munich had to offer, but were unable to reward themselves for their efforts, as Thomas Müller netted for the visitors in the 79th minute. In the fourth minute of added-time, Chadrac Akolo had the chance to equalise from the penalty-spot, but was denied by former VfB keeper Sven Ulreich.
VfB – Hertha BSC 1-0 (Matchday 18)
In his first game since returning to VfB, Mario Gomez had a vital role to play in what was to prove the only goal of the game – however in curious fashion. In a challenge with the striker, defender Niklas Stark’s attempt to clear landed in the back of his own net and the Wasenelf began the latter half of the campaign with a further success.
VfB – Borussia Mönchengladbach 1-0 (Matchday 22)
Having claimed a point in Wolfsburg, new VfB coach Tayfun Korkut celebrated three important points in his first home game in charge, as the team sought to secure their top-flight status for the coming season. The Cannstatt Boys took an early lead through Daniel Ginczek (5’) and reaped the rewards for their efforts against a strong playing Gladbach with a tough-battling, committed and stable defensive display.
VfB – Eintracht Frankfurt 1-0 (Matchday 24)
Against Eintracht Frankfurt, VfB celebrated their third successive 1-0 victory, securing points eight, nine and ten in just four games under new coach Tayfun Korkut. On the offensive, the Wasenelf again made efficient use of their openings, whilst stable defensive order again resulted in a clean-sheet. Winter-signing Erik Thommy was on target with his first goal of the season in the VfB colours (13’).
VfB – SV Werder Bremen 2-0 (Matchday 31)
With a well-deserved home victory, VfB guaranteed they would be playing football in Germany’s top-flight in the coming season, with three games remaining. Having conceded a last-gasp equaliser to make it 1-1 against Hannover a week previously, on this occasion, substitute Anastasios Donis made use of the assist from Berkay Özcan to make it 2-0 in the 91st minute. In the 13th minute of the game, VfB captain Christian Gentner had put his side in the driving seat, scoring his first headed goal of the season.
VfB – TSG Hoffenheim -:- (Matchday 33)
In the final home game of the season, VfB will again be looking to confirm their home strength with another impressive display and thus move on to their seventh consecutive match without defeat at the Mercedes-Benz Arena. In the Baden-Württemberg derby against TSG Hoffenheim, the side in the shirts with the infamous red hoop will be looking to make up for the narrow 0-1 defeat to 1899 back in December and thus thank the fans for their incredible support throughout the campaign. With the exceptions of the long-term injured Andreas Beck and Carlos Mané, head coach Tayfun Korkut has his complete squad at his disposal.