CL Rant box: VfB Stuttgart v FC Sevilla
By: Pete | October 20th, 2009
To quote the late, great Oscar Wilde, “What seems to us as bitter trials are often blessings in disguise.” And such is the optimistic outlook we will try and employ here. Things may seem grey at first sight; Sevilla has been one of the best teams (at least post WC qualifiers) over the past few months. Furthermore, a loss would surely put Stuttgart on the brink of CL failure assuming Rangers come out with a positive result verse Unirea. The hot topic is Babbel being in the proverbial hot seat and how he’ll handle that. Overall, Stuttgart’s form has been far below par thus far.
The last time Stuttgart and Sevilla hooked up was in the Europa League last year where Sevilla promptly dispatched Die Schwaben 2-0. Sevilla have only added to that squad with Brazil’s Fabiano, who is sehr gut to say the least. He did not figure into Sevilla’s loss over the weekend after WC break due to WC qualifier fatigue. But he’ll be back and ready to go in this affair. However, Sevilla will be w/o their starting goalie Palop, as well as defender Konko, midfielder Renato, and Negredo. With this in mind it’s really Stuttgart’s best chance to steal a result. Make no mistake they are heavy underdogs, playing like crap all year against a team that has only excelled. And Babbel, ever the optimist, feels this works in their favor:
“We are better off not being the favourites because now we have nothing to lose, we can only win. I feel that the team is willing, ready to give everything.”
One would hope they would embrace being expected to win. But I digress-
So here’s hoping to taking advantage of a weakened Sevilla squad, and, you know, maybe rallying around home pitch advantage for once. Please post before, during, and after the match and I’ll surely be blogging live with whoever wants to as well.
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Comments | Add your comment
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I don’t know… I’ve been so bummed by Vfb for a while, but I have a really good feeling about this game. I have no reason to, but I do. Here’s to hoping for a good result!
Posted from
United States
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We have some key players out in Andrés Palop, Renato, and of course Álvaro Negredo. Anything could happen but I think anything less than three points for us will be a disappointment.
Posted from
United States -
God what a disappointing goal; completely against the run of play-
Posted from
United States -
That’s why we sold Khalid.
Posted from
United States -
Yep. We’re good for about 1 or 2 completely inexplicable defensive lapses per game.
Posted from
United States -
What a way to conduct a season. Inspired effort, no finishing.
Posted from
United States -
I couldn’t watch the match but from I read it seems it was a courageous performance combined with defensive blackouts. Sounds very much like the game against Schalke. At least there’s still life in the team – different to Hertha.
Posted from
Germany -
Yes, Jan. Stuttgart looked the better team for most of the match (except for finishing, of course.)
That Elson free kick was pretty fantastic though, top notch.
Posted from
United States -
I guess the way Stuttgart’s season has been going, this is how things will pan out: Rangers bounce back and beat Unirea and both teams are then tied on 4 points. Sevilla are determined to wrap up the group as early as possible and beat Stuttgart and secure the first place two matchdays early. Stuttgart end up sitting on 2 points and need two wins for a maximum of just 8 points. Rangers and Unirea will meanwhile meet a Sevilla team who are guaranteed first place and roll out the youngsters – an invitation to both clubs to grab extra points. In the end Stuttgart finish in fourth position and everybody in Germany will hate you and wish you ill and that you never ever qualify for the CL again.
That, or a miracle happens.
Posted from
Germany
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