VFB Stuttgart Season 2022 Match 16

VfB Stuttgart – Mainz

Date: 21st January 2023, 3:30 pm

Result: 1 – 1

This was the first league match after the winter break. The break lasted longer than usual, because the Football World Cup took place in November and December last year. It was a mistake scheduling the World Cup at this time of year. In future care has to be taken that the event is only scheduled in cooler countries. Qatar failed to host a fair World Cup, showing prejudice against visitors who were open about being homosexual. Qatar also forbade the sale of alcohol inside the stadiums, despite having promised to allow it in previous negotiations. It's obvious that free and fair events were never intended. The Qatari government lied in order to be allowed to host the event.

I intended to visit this match yesterday, but due to a misunderstanding my son's friend failed to get a ticket for me. By the time he realised that I wanted to go, the tickets were already sold out.

I watched recorded highlights of the game afterwards, but I haven't been able to see the whole game. Judging from reviews that I've read, it was a dull game. Both goals were scored in the first half.

Before the game began, there was a minute's silence to remember Pele, the Brazilian footballer who died on 29th December 2022. He's considered by many football fans (including myself) to be the best football player who has ever lived. If you have any doubts, look for recordings of the 1970 World Cup.

VfB Stuttgart has a new trainer, Bruno Labbadia, who was hired in December. I should say re-hired. He previously worked as Stuttgart's trainer from 2010 to 2015. After working for Hamburg SV, Wolfsburg and Hertha BSC, he's back with Stuttgart. This is his first league match with his team. He needs to work hard to get VfB out of the cellar.

1.	Bayern München	35
2.	Eintracht Frankfurt	30
3.	Union Berlin	30
4.	SC Freiburg	30
5.	RB Leipzig	29
6.	Wolfsburg	26
7.	Dortmund	25
8.	Mönchengladbach	22
9.	Werder Bremen	21
10.	Köln	20
11.	Mainz	20
12.	Leverkusen	18
13.	Hoffenheim	18
14.	VfL Bochum	16
15.	Augsburg	15
16.	VfB Stuttgart	15
17.	Hertha BSC	14
18.	Schalke 04	9