VfB Stuttgart
| 1-0 | Niedermeier | (5. Min) |
| 2-0 | Rupp | (42. Min) |
| 3-0 | Niedermeier | (51. Min) |
| 4-1 | Kostic | (78. Min) |
| 5-1 | Werner | (83. Min) |
TSG Hoffenheim
| 3-1 | Kramaric | (73. Min) |
Artem Kravets
Stats 
Kevin Großkreutz in action during the game.
Win against the neighbours
VfB have ended a busy week of football successfully. On Saturday afternoon, the side in the shirts with the infamous red hoop notched up an impressive 5-1 (2-0) victory over TSG Hoffenheim. VfB were in good form right from the outset and created an abundance of openings alone in the first half.
After the restart, the hosts then quickly put any possible remaining doubts to bed. For the sixth time this season in a home game, a Stuttgart player snagged a brace – and it was a man whose job is normally to help prevent goals at the other end.
Personnel
VfB coach Jürgen Kramny made two changes to his starting eleven from mid-week. In the midfield, Lukas Rupp got the nod ahead of Martin Harnik and Artem Kravets replaced Timo Werner from the outset, to make his starting eleven debut.
Highlights
5th minute: VfB make a purposeful start and win the first corner of the match. Filip Kostic delivers the ball from the right and Daniel Didavi gets a header in at the near post, but TSG keeper Oliver Baumann is alert to the danger and clings onto the ball.
6th minute: Just a minute later, Filip Kostic floats in another corner and the result is celebrations in white and red. Lukas Rupp drives in a shot from the edge of the box, which Oliver Baumann can only parry and Georg Niedermeier pounces on the loose ball to make it 1-0 for VfB.
Statement
Robin Dutt: "It’s a really wonderful day for us. The team showed a great reaction. Every individual wanted to make up for the defeats to Hannover and Gladbach – which was very clear to see throughout. It was a very good display from all involved."
Post-match comments
42nd minute: Finally! It was a long overdue goal and completely deserved. Lukas Rupp is on target, following an assist from Emiliano Insua and a clever step-over by Daniel Didavi, to double the VfB advantage.
50th minute: And VfB make an immediate impact after the break! Another Filip Kostic corner and Georg Niedermeier comes powering through to head home and make it 3-0. It’s the central defender’s first brace in the Bundesliga.
73rd minute: The visitors reduce the deficit to 1-3. Andrej Kramaric fires a powerful shot under the crossbar to throw his side a life-line.
75th minute: VfB almost restore their three-goal cushion. From a Georg Niedermeier delivery, Daniel Didavi is unable to control the ball and slots his effort wide of the post.
78th minute: And there it is, the fourth goal for VfB. Filip Kostic powers his way through and convert confidently to make it 4-1.
83. Minute: Timo Werner is perfectly placed to make it 5-1, with what is VfB Stuttgart’s 40th goal of the season.
90th minute: And the goal to make it 5-1 proves the final significant action of the match and VfB celebrate a completely deserved home victory. The fans are duly impressed and make that vocally clear.
Summary
On Saturday afternoon, VfB showed the perfect reaction to their two recent defeats. Captain Christian Gentner & Co. began as a determined team unit, battled for one another and left their opponents very few chances. Throughout the first half, Jürgen Kramny’s men controlled proceedings and had opportunities to score more than the two goals they led by at the break. Following the 3-0 after the re-start, the Cannstatt Boys allowed their opponents to come at them more, but after TSG had pulled a goal back, VfB raised the bar once again and made sure of the destination of all three points.
