Coach Markus Weinzierl and VfB Stuttgart have achieved the hoped-for liberation shot in the Bundesliga. In an intense, but playfully weak Swabian derby against FC Augsburg, which Weinzierl had coached for four years, VfB won happily 1:0 (1:0).
In the sixth game under the direction of the 43-year-old, for whom the reunion with FCA was “a very special game”, the Stuttgart team managed their second victory. They gave the red lantern to Fortuna Düsseldorf.
The by no means convincing VfB took the lead with Anastasios Donis returning in the 39th minute. The 22-year-old Greek was back after a torn muscle bundle for the first time since 29 September (2-1 against Bremen). It was VfB’s first home win against Augsburg in more than six years.
For FCA, the situation after the fourth game without victory is slowly becoming critical. Manuel Baum’s team is only two points ahead of VfB. The absence of goal scorer Alfred Finnbogason (problems in the adductor area) was particularly noticeable in the clearly superior FCA.
The VfB started energetically and had the double chance to take the lead early on thanks to Mario Gomez and Dennis Aogo (4th). But after a promising start, Stuttgart withdrew early and FCA took control without shining.
The best chance for the guests was Michael Gregoritsch, who failed against the strongly reacting VfB keeper Ron-Robert Zieler (20.). Donis did better, as he closed one of the few attacks of the Stuttgart team shortly before the break. It was the first home goal under Weinzierl after two defeats with 0:7 goals.
Otherwise, the fans, who for 45 minutes did not cheer on their teams, saw a lot of fighting and cramping before the break, an often unsettled looking VfB – and some hectic. After 25 minutes referee Harm Osmers (Hannover) had all trouble to calm the heated minds during a scuffle on the side line.
Weinzierl Torschütze Donis, who still lacks strength after a long break, took a break from the field. VfB was now barely able to ease the burden. However, the clearly superior FCA often lacked determination and ideas. Martin Hinteregger (56th) and Andre Hahn (61st) had the best chances.
