VFB Stuttgart Season 2022 Relegation Playoff 1

VfB Stuttgart – Hamburg

Date: 1st June 2023, 8:45 pm

Result: 3 – 0

After finishing 16th in the league table, VfB Stuttgart has one last chance to avoid relegation. There's a playoff against Hamburg, the team in third place in the second league. Two matches will be played, and the winner, based on the aggregate of the two games, will be in the premiere league next season, while the loser will be in the second league.

I was nervous when I sat down to watch the game. And then bam! What happened? Was I dreaming? There was a corner kick for Stuttgart after 30 seconds. That's nothing unusual. Then Konstantinos Mavropanos hammered the ball into the goal. Stuttgart was leading 1-0 after less than a minute. The crowd went wild.

From then on Stuttgart kept up the pressure. Hamburg looked outclassed. Stuttgart had chance after chance in the first half, and Hamburg only kept the ball out of their net by luck. The ball hardly left Hamburg's side of the field.

In the second half Josha Vagnoman scored another goal for VfB after six minutes. The Hamburg players looked distraught. Three minutes later Serhou Guirassy scored a third goal. After that it was obvious that the Stuttgart team wasn't taking any risks. They were kicking the ball from one to another, not letting Hamburg have the ball, but not attempting to score again. They were resting on their laurels, happy that they could walk away with a 3-0 victory.

The second match will take place on 5th June in Hamburg. Can Hamburg score three or more goals against Stuttgart? Based on what I saw last night, it's doubtful. It already looks certain that VfB Stuttgart has saved itself from relegation.

VFB Stuttgart Season 2022 Match 34

VfB Stuttgart – Hoffenheim

Date: 27th May 2023, 3:30 pm

Result: 1 – 1

Do you remember what I wrote when I was playing with numbers in last week's post? Now the results are in. Stuttgart drew against Hoffenheim, but as I often say, a draw is as good as a loss. Bochum won 3-0 against Leverkusen, which means that Stuttgart will be relegated.

Almost. For the team that finishes in 16th place there's a lifeline. Instead of automatic relegation, there's a playoff against the team that finished third in the second division. That's Hamburg SV. Stuttgart must play two games against them on 1st June and 5th June. If the score is equal after the two games, the winner will be decided on penalties.

On Saturday I was called a fake VfB fan. Honestly! I defended myself by rattling off the names of the players, proving I know about the team, but I understand the criticism. I've only been to the stadium once this season, and I've only watched a few of the games live on television. A friend of mine who's a real VfB fan says he'll stick with the team in good times and bad. I understand that. However, my support depends on Stuttgart's success.

In 2020 Stuttgart was in the second league. I promised my son that if Stuttgart were promoted I'd buy a scarf. They were promoted, and I bought a scarf. I wouldn't say I was a real fan at the time, but wearing it in public made me part of a community. When people saw me on the bus they spoke to me like I was an old friend. I liked it. So at some point I started to consider myself a fan. But now I've made my son another promise. I've told him that if Stuttgart is relegated I'll stop wearing the scarf. Does that make me a fake fan? Maybe.

This is the final league table. One of my friends criticised me for not including the goal difference, which is used when two teams have the same points. In this case it's important, because Bayern München has only taken first place by goal difference, equal in points with Dortmund. So I've included the goal differences. Better late than never.

1.	Bayern München	71	+54
2.	Dortmund	71	+39
3.	RB Leipzig	66	+23
4.	Union Berlin	62	+13
5.	SC Freiburg	59	+7
6.	Leverkusen	50	+8
7.	Eintracht Frankfurt	50	+6
8.	Wolfsburg	49	+9
9.	Mainz	46	-1
10.	Mönchengladbach	43	-3
11.	Köln	42	-5
12.	Hoffenheim	36	-9
13.	Werder Bremen	36	-13
14.	VfL Bochum	35	-32
15.	Augsburg	34	-21
16.	VfB Stuttgart	33	-12
17.	Schalke 04	31	-36
18.	Hertha	29	-27

VFB Stuttgart Season 2022 Match 33

Mainz – VfB Stuttgart

Date: 21st May 2023, 3:30 pm

Result: 1 – 4

I was listening to this match on the radio with my son, while we were on a train to Stuttgart. When Mainz scored the first goal we groaned. I felt like turning the radio off, but Benjamin wanted to carry on listening. Then Stuttgart scored an equaliser in the 41st minute. Or did they? There were appeals against the goal, and the referee had to check the monitor. Our train went into a tunnel, and the radio transmission was interrupted. It wasn't until five minutes later that we heard that the goal had been allowed.

In the second half Stuttgart scored another two goals, and there was a fourth goal in extra time. Even though I was following the match only on a radio broadcast, I could tell that VfB Stuttgart played an exceptional game. With only two games left in the season, they've finally woken up and realised that it's serious.

Check the league table. Stuttgart is now at the top of the cellar, equal in points with Bochum, but ahead on goal difference.

1.	Dortmund	70
2.	Bayern München	68
3.	RB Leipzig	63
4.	Union Berlin	59
5.	SC Freiburg	59
6.	Leverkusen	49
7.	Wolfsburg	49
8.	Eintracht Frankfurt	47
9.	Mainz	45
10.	Köln	42
11.	Mönchengladbach	39
12.	Werder Bremen	36
13.	Hoffenheim	35
14.	Augsburg	34
15.	VfB Stuttgart	32
16.	VfL Bochum	32
17.	Schalke 04	31
18.	Hertha	26

There's one match left this season. Let me explain how it works. The bottom two teams are automatically relegated. The team in 16th place has to play against the team in the third place of the second league to decide whether it's relegated or not.

Let's play with the numbers. Hertha will be relegated. There's no more hope for them.

If Stuttgart loses against Hoffenheim next week, Stuttgart will only remain in the league if Bochum and Schalke both lose. 

If Stuttgart draws next week, Stuttgart will only remain in the league if neither Bochum nor Schalke wins.

If Stuttgart wins next week, the team is safe. They can live to fight another day.

So there's excitement and nail-biting until the very last game. But please, VfB, don't do it again.

VFB Stuttgart Season 2022 Match 32

VfB Stuttgart – Leverkusen

Date: 14th May 2023, 3:30 pm

Result: 1 – 1

I said last week that Stuttgart needs to win the last three games of the season to be certain of remaining in the premiere league. This game was a draw. There's a common saying in Germany, "Every point is a victory". It's not true. The draw meant that Stuttgart slipped down to 17th place in the table. Relegation is almost certain. Almost. If Stuttgart wins the last two games of the season, it's possible to avoid relegation, but it depends on the results of the other teams in the cellar.

Usually I include the league table after each match. This time I shan't post the whole table, just the part that's important. This is the cellar.

15.	VfL Bochum	31
16.	Schalke 04	30
17.	VfB Stuttgart	29
18.	Hertha	25

VFB Stuttgart Season 2022 Match 31

Hertha – VfB Stuttgart

Date: 6th May 2023, 3:30 pm

Result: 2 – 1

I've said more than once that losing to bottom-of-the-table Hertha would be a disaster. Now the worst has happened. I can't begin to express my disappointment.

There are three matches left this season. If VfB wins two of them, it'll be a close call whether they'll be relegated or not, depending on how the other three clubs in the cellar perform. To be certain of remaining in the premiere league, VfB needs to win all three games. Good luck!

1.	Bayern München	65
2.	Dortmund	61
3.	RB Leipzig	57
4.	Union Berlin	56
5.	SC Freiburg	56
6.	Leverkusen	48
7.	Wolfsburg	46
8.	Mainz	45
9.	Eintracht Frankfurt	43
10.	Mönchengladbach	39
11.	Köln	38
12.	Werder Bremen	35
13.	Augsburg	34
14.	Hoffenheim	32
15.	Schalke 04	30
16.	VfB Stuttgart	28
17.	VfL Bochum	28
18.	Hertha	25

VFB Stuttgart Season 2022 Match 30

VfB Stuttgart – Mönchengladbach

Date: 29th April 2023, 3:30 pm

Result: 2 – 1

I'm happy to say that VfB Stuttgart won against Mönchengladbach. Only one more win is needed to get out of the cellar and escape the danger of relegation. Next week's match is against Hertha, currently bottom of the table. An easy match? There's no such thing as an easy match in the German league. Hertha is fighting for survival and will be doing everything to win. A draw isn't good enough. Stuttgart needs a victory.

1.	Bayern München	62
2.	Dortmund	61
3.	Union Berlin	56
4.	SC Freiburg	56
5.	RB Leipzig	54
6.	Leverkusen	48
7.	Wolfsburg	46
8.	Mainz	45
9.	Eintracht Frankfurt	43
10.	Mönchengladbach	36
11.	Köln	35
12.	Werder Bremen	35
13.	Augsburg	31
14.	Hoffenheim	29
15.	VfB Stuttgart	28
16.	VfL Bochum	28
17.	Schalke 04	27
18.	Hertha	22

VFB Stuttgart Season 2022 Match 29

Augsburg – VfB Stuttgart

Date: 21st April 2023, 8:30 pm

Result: 1 – 1

So what was VfB Stuttgart doing while I was in the cinema watching "Talk to me" on Friday evening? The away match against Augsburg was drawn. I've read articles in which it's said that every point Stuttgart wins in their relegation battles is a victory. I disagree. One point isn't enough. Stuttgart needed three points in this game and failed to get them. One point per game will leave Stuttgart in the cellar. VfB needs to win the next two games against Mönchengladbach and Hertha. I hardly need to say that a loss against Hertha would be disastrous.

1.	Bayern München	59
2.	Dortmund	57
3.	Union Berlin	52
4.	RB Leipzig	51
5.	SC Freiburg	50
6.	Leverkusen	44
7.	Eintracht Frankfurt	42
8.	Mainz	42
9.	Wolfsburg	40
10.	Mönchengladbach	36
11.	Köln	32
12.	Werder Bremen	32
13.	Augsburg	30
14.	Hoffenheim	29
15.	VfL Bochum	27
16.	VfB Stuttgart	25
17.	Schalke 04	24
18.	Hertha	22

VFB Stuttgart Season 2022 Match 28

VfB Stuttgart – Dortmund

Date: 15th April 2023, 3:30 pm

Result: 3 – 3

Depression is setting in among Stuttgart fans. Everybody expected VfB to lose this game. The jubilation was all the greater when the game was drawn. A friend of mine who was in the stadium told me that Stuttgart played a very good game. They clawed their way back from trailing 2-0 at the end of the first half.

Nevertheless, VfB Stuttgart is stuck in the cellar. It's essential to win the next two games to avoid relegation.

1.	Bayern München	59
2.	Dortmund	57
3.	RB Leipzig	51
4.	Union Berlin	51
5.	SC Freiburg	47
6.	Leverkusen	43
7.	Eintracht Frankfurt	42
8.	Mainz	42
9.	Wolfsburg	39
10.	Mönchengladbach	36
11.	Köln	32
12.	Werder Bremen	32
13.	Hoffenheim	29
14.	Augsburg	29
15.	VfL Bochum	26
16.	VfB Stuttgart	24
17.	Schalke 04	24
18.	Hertha	22

VFB Stuttgart Season 2022 Match 27

VfL Bochum – VfB Stuttgart

Date: 9th April 2023, 5:30 pm

Result: 2 – 3

As you can see, my match report isn't black this week. VfB Stuttgart had a well deserved victory against Bochum which has lifted them off the bottom of the table, although they're still in the cellar.

Just a few words about the match. I was sitting in a tent at a kiosk close to my house, enjoying a Kebab with my son Benjamin. It was about 6 pm. I checked my phone to see the match result, and it was 1-0 for Stuttgart. I was wrongly of the opinion that the match had started at 3:30, so I thought it was the final score. A few minutes later a man came into the tent wearing a VfB scarf, so I congratulated him on the victory. "It's only half time", he said. Oops!

So Benjamin and I listened to the live radio report. More goals. First Bochum equalised, then Stuttgart pulled ahead, and the final score was a 3-2 win for Stuttgart. It was an exciting match, even though it was only radio.

Something weird happened in extra time. A fight broke out between the players after a foul against Konstantinos Mavropanos. According to the radio commentators, it was pushing and shoving mostly off the field by players on the benches. YouTube videos that I saw later showed that about 15 people were involved. The referee gave yellow cards to players who weren't even in the match. The commentators were unable to say who received yellow cards, because there were so many. They just said that it was a shower of yellow cards.

That wasn't the end. After the match Bochum's goalkeeper got into a fight with a fan, and his team mates had to separate them. It's a shame when a football match degenerates into aggression.

But at least Stuttgart is off the bottom of the table. Now two more victories are needed to get out of the cellar. Next week's opponent is Dortmund. That'll be a tough match, but I'm hoping for a win.

1.	Bayern München	58
2.	Dortmund	56
3.	Union Berlin	51
4.	RB Leipzig	48
5.	SC Freiburg	47
6.	Leverkusen	43
7.	Eintracht Frankfurt	41
8.	Mainz	41
9.	Wolfsburg	39
10.	Mönchengladbach	35
11.	Werder Bremen	32
12.	Köln	31
13.	Augsburg	29
14.	Hoffenheim	28
15.	VfL Bochum	26
16.	VfB Stuttgart	23
17.	Hertha	22
18.	Schalke 04	21

VFB Stuttgart Season 2022 Match 26

Union Berlin – VfB Stuttgart

Date: 1st April 2023, 3:30 pm

Result: 3 – 0

I shan't grace this post with a match photo or the league table. VfB Stuttgart lost, strengthening their position at the bottom of the table. That's all you need to know. Okay, so the match was against Union Berlin, one of Germany's best teams at the moment. That's no excuse. Until Stuttgart rises from the bottom of the table all my posts will be black.

VFB Stuttgart Season 2022 Match 25

VfB Stuttgart – Wolfsburg

Date: 18th March 2023, 3:30 pm

Result: 0 – 1

Clunk!

Do you know what that is? It's the sound of VfB Stuttgart crashing onto to bottom of the league table. It's the moment I've been fearing for months, though I hoped it would never happen.

I had a seat in the top row of the stadium. Usually I don't like sitting so far from the action, because the players are running around like ants far below me. I can't see their faces, and I can barely make out their shirt numbers. Today it was an advantage for me, because the global overview showed me what was going wrong. Stuttgart was playing strongly on the left and right wings, but when they went into the attack they had nobody in the centre to take the ball. One of the side players had to run into the centre to take a shot, and by the time he arrived it was too late.

The first half was depressing. VfB Stuttgart had no energy. They gave away corner after corner. I'm surprised that Wolfsburg didn't score. In the second half Stuttgart played more aggressively, but they couldn't put an attack together. When Wolfsburg finally scored, the ball was merely dribbled into Stuttgart's goal. It didn't look like a shot. From my high vantage position I rubbed my eyes. "Is that it?"

After the match I was sitting in the Bier & Brezel pub chatting with two Stuttgart fans. One of them summed the game up: "Wolfsburg played badly, but Stuttgart was worse". I couldn't have put it better myself. The way Stuttgart was playing, a good opponent should have hammered five balls into the goal.

In an interview after the match the Stuttgart trainer, Bruno Labbadia, said "I don't have to worry about my job". The very fact that he has to make this statement shows how worried he should be. He was hired when Stuttgart was doing badly. Since his arrival the team has been playing worse.

I've promised my friends that I'll buy a Stuttgart shirt if the team finishes in the top eight places. They laughed and said it won't happen. Maybe next season. Or maybe not.

1.	Dortmund	53
2.	Bayern München	52
3.	RB Leipzig	45
4.	Union Berlin	45
5.	SC Freiburg	45
6.	Eintracht Frankfurt	40
7.	Wolfsburg	38
8.	Mainz	36
9.	Leverkusen	34
10.	Mönchengladbach	31
11.	Werder Bremen	31
12.	Augsburg	28
13.	Köln	27
14.	VfL Bochum	25
15.	Hoffenheim	22
16.	Hertha	21
17.	Schalke 04	21
18.	VfB Stuttgart	20

VFB Stuttgart Season 2022 Match 24

Eintracht Frankfurt – VfB Stuttgart

Date: 11th March 2023, 3:30 pm

Result: 1 – 1

I'm a bit late writing about this match. That's partly because of the Oscars, partly because I don't feel motivated. I've been supporting VfB Stuttgart for about five years. At first it was just my son urging me to watch them. This season I've started writing about them for the first time.

It's sad days when the reaction to a match is "At least Stuttgart didn't lose". At this point in the season a draw isn't enough. Stuttgart needs to win every game to get out of the cellar. One lost game could put the team in the position where relegation is unavoidable.

The biggest newspaper headlines are about the post-game violence. Stuttgart fans pulled the emergency brake on a train carrying Frankfurt fans, so it was possible for a big fight to break out. Frankfurt has a reputation as the team with the worst fans, but it wasn't their fault this time.

On a positive note, I found a packet of Hochland VfB Coffee in a local supermarket. Hochland is a Stuttgart company that makes very good coffee. Despite maintaining an image as an elite coffee brand, it's now the largest coffee company in Germany. It costs more than twice as much as its closest competition, Jacobs Coffee. But it tastes good. When I first moved to Stuttgart it was the coffee offered free in my company's canteen. A few years later the company switched to Jacobs Coffee to save costs, and there were squeals of complaint. Jacobs Coffee isn't bad, but Hochland tastes better.

Of course, the VfB Coffee isn't anything unique. It's just Hochland's Arabica coffee, made with beans from the mountains of Costa Rica, repackaged to support the local team.

1.	Bayern München	52
2.	Dortmund	50
3.	RB Leipzig	45
4.	Union Berlin	44
5.	SC Freiburg	42
6.	Eintracht Frankfurt	40
7.	Mainz	36
8.	Wolfsburg	34
9.	Leverkusen	31
10.	Mönchengladbach	30
11.	Werder Bremen	30
12.	Köln	27
13.	Augsburg	27
14.	VfL Bochum	22
15.	Hertha	21
16.	VfB Stuttgart	20
17.	Schalke 04	20
18.	Hoffenheim	19

VFB Stuttgart Season 2022 Match 23

VfB Stuttgart – Bayern München

Date: 4th March 2023, 6:30 pm

Result: 0 – 1

Did anyone expect VfB Stuttgart to win against Bayern München? I certainly didn't after last week's poor performance against bottom of the league Schalke 04. Now Stuttgart is in 15th place, but check the points in the table. The four teams in the cellar have equal points, and Stuttgart is only ahead on goal difference. Instead of equal 15th, let's be realistic and say that Stuttgart is in equal last place.

In their favour, the Stuttgart fans know how to party. The match's late start gave the fans a chance to put on some spectacular pyrotechnics.

1.	Bayern München	49
2.	Dortmund	49
3.	Union Berlin	44
4.	RB Leipzig	42
5.	SC Freiburg	42
6.	Eintracht Frankfurt	38
7.	Mainz	35
8.	Wolfsburg	33
9.	Mönchengladbach	30
10.	Werder Bremen	30
11.	Leverkusen	28
12.	Köln	27
13.	Augsburg	27
14.	Hertha	20
15.	VfB Stuttgart	19
16.	Hoffenheim	19
17.	Schalke 04	19
18.	VfL Bochum	19

VFB Stuttgart Season 2022 Match 22

Schalke 04 – VfB Stuttgart

Date: 25th February 2023, 3:30 pm

Result: 2 – 1

It's dark days for VfB Stuttgart. This wasn't a match that the team could afford to lose. I'm sure they didn't expect to lose. After last week's victory against Köln, they must have thought it would be easy to defeat the bottom club in the league table. Next week Stuttgart will face Bayern München, tough opponents. I'm hoping for the best, but dreading the worst.

1.	Dortmund	46
2.	Bayern München	43
3.	Union Berlin	43
4.	RB Leipzig	42
5.	SC Freiburg	40
6.	Eintracht Frankfurt	38
7.	Wolfsburg	33
8.	Mainz	32
9.	Werder Bremen	30
10.	Mönchengladbach	29
11.	Leverkusen	27
12.	Köln	26
13.	Augsburg	24
14.	Hertha	20
15.	VfB Stuttgart	19
16.	Hoffenheim	19
17.	VfL Bochum	19
18.	Schalke 04	16

VFB Stuttgart Season 2022 Match 21

VfB Stuttgart – Köln

Date: 18th February 2023, 3:30 pm

Result: 3 – 0

Just when I was giving up hope, VfB Stuttgart has achieved a significant victory, hammering their arch rival Köln (Cologne) by three goals to nil. This victory only has a small effect on the table position, barely pulling Stuttgart up to the edge of the cellar, but it's a big psychological help. Next week Stuttgart will face Schalke 04, the bottom team in the table, followed by Bayern München, the current leaders of the premiere league. The players need a confidence boost. Winning these two matches would mean clear sailing for the rest of the season, avoiding relegation.

1.	Bayern München	43
2.	Dortmund	43
3.	Union Berlin	43
4.	SC Freiburg	40
5.	RB Leipzig	39
6.	Eintracht Frankfurt	38
7.	Wolfsburg	30
8.	Mönchengladbach	29
9.	Mainz	29
10.	Leverkusen	27
11.	Werder Bremen	27
12.	Köln	26
13.	Augsburg	24
14.	VfB Stuttgart	19
15.	Hoffenheim	19
16.	VfL Bochum	19
17.	Hertha BSC	17
18.	Schalke 04	13

VFB Stuttgart Season 2022 Match 20

SC Freiburg – VfB Stuttgart

Date: 11th February 2023, 3:30 pm

Result: 2 – 1

I've now reached the stage of desperation where I expect VfB Stuttgart to lose. I didn't even bother to follow the radio broadcast of the match yesterday. I was feeling bored, so I replayed the first 120 levels of Candy Crush. That took me almost four hours. At least I had a good feeling afterwards, which wouldn't have been the case if I'd listened to Stuttgart losing yet again

1.	Bayern München	43
2.	Union Berlin	42
3.	Dortmund	40
4.	SC Freiburg	37
5.	RB Leipzig	36
6.	Eintracht Frankfurt	35
7.	Wolfsburg	30
8.	Leverkusen	27
9.	Werder Bremen	27
10.	Mönchengladbach	26
11.	Mainz	26
12.	Köln	23
13.	Augsburg	21
14.	Hoffenheim	19
15.	VfL Bochum	19
16.	VfB Stuttgart	16
17.	Hertha BSC	14
18.	Schalke 04	12

VFB Stuttgart Season 2022 Match 19

VfB Stuttgart – Werder Bremen

Date: 5th February 2023, 3:30 pm

Result: 0 – 2

While I was sitting watching films yesterday, the football team that I support, VfB Stuttgart, was losing against Werder Bremen. I didn't check the result until I was on the bus on the way home. It wasn't just a loss, it was a decisive loss. It's the first home game for two years in which Stuttgart didn't score a goal. It's looking more difficult than ever for Stuttgart to climb out of the cellar.

1.	Bayern München	40
2.	Union Berlin	39
3.	Dortmund	37
4.	RB Leipzig	36
5.	Eintracht Frankfurt	35
6.	SC Freiburg	34
7.	Wolfsburg	29
8.	Werder Bremen	27
9.	Mönchengladbach	26
10.	Leverkusen	24
11.	Köln	23
12.	Mainz	23
13.	Augsburg	21
14.	Hoffenheim	19
15.	VfL Bochum	19
16.	VfB Stuttgart	16
17.	Hertha BSC	14
18.	Schalke 04	11

VFB Stuttgart Season 2022 Match 18

RB Leipzig – VfB Stuttgart

Date: 27th January 2023, 8:30 pm

Result: 2 – 1

This is the 18th game, i.e. the beginning of the second half of the season. VfB Stuttgart has to face the same 17 opponents again in order. Can Stuttgart do better this time? Evidently not. The first game against Leipzig was a draw, but VfB lost the second game. This means Stuttgart has gently slipped back into the league's cellar (the bottom four places in the table).

I didn't even know the match was taking place yesterday. I got the dates mixed up, I thought it was today. I only realised the game was being played when the result popped up on my television in the middle of "Fast and Furious 8". That shows how much my feelings for the team are evaporating. Things have to change fast. Stuttgart needs to win the next two games, against Werder Bremen on 5th February (while I'm at the Stuttgart film festival) and SC Freinburg on 11th February. Then I'll be happy again.

1.	Bayern München	36
2.	RB Leipzig	35
3.	Union Berlin	33
4.	Eintracht Frankfurt	31
5.	Dortmund	31
6.	SC Freiburg	31
7.	Wolfsburg	29
8.	Leverkusen	24
9.	Mönchengladbach	22
10.	Köln	21
11.	Werder Bremen	21
12.	Mainz	20
13.	Hoffenheim	19
14.	Augsburg	18
15.	VfB Stuttgart	16
16.	VfL Bochum	16
17.	Hertha BSC	14
18.	Schalke 04	9

VFB Stuttgart Season 2022 Match 17

Hoffenheim – VfB Stuttgart

Date: 24th January 2023, 8:30 pm

Result: 2 – 2

This is the 17th match of the season, marking it as the halfway point. I said I would resume my full game reports when Stuttgart reached the 14th place, but I shan't do that today. Stuttgart is in equal 14th place with Bochum and is only ahead on goal difference. Apart from that, Bochum and Augsburg have only played 16 games so far. With such a close race, Stuttgart is only one game away from being relegated. If Stuttgart had won, the team would still be in 14th place, but with a (relatively) safe 18 points.

VfB Stuttgart should have won, but Hoffenheim scored the equaliser in the fourth minute of extra time. In football you can never be complacent.

1.	Bayern München	36
2.	RB Leipzig	32
3.	Eintracht Frankfurt	30
4.	Union Berlin	30
5.	SC Freiburg	30
6.	Wolfsburg	29
7.	Dortmund	28
8.	Mönchengladbach	22
9.	Leverkusen	21
10.	Köln	21
11.	Werder Bremen	21
12.	Mainz	20
13.	Hoffenheim	19
14.	VfB Stuttgart	16
15.	VfL Bochum	16
16.	Augsburg	15
17.	Hertha BSC	14
18.	Schalke 04	9

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