Stuttgart 2 - 0 Düsseldorf (384473290)

A scorching day at Cannstatter SüdMilch-ParK, where 15237 spectators were in place for today's match. Jozef Balčák was the appointed referee with assistance provided by Fabio Ferrio and Yariv Almog. Stuttgart had chosen a strategic 4-4-2 formation. They fielded: Duponchelle - 岡本 (Okamoto), Vanroose, Alfradique, González Arguimanes - Forti, Garzón, Jacquin, Kivistö - Limia, Hegna.

Düsseldorf tactics involved an interesting 5-4-1 combination. Starters: Schellenberger - Gallo, Pintev, Bruus, Butaru, Tjäderbeck - Carter, Tarallo, Baas, Flannery - Daeubel.

The wings were the focus of most of Stuttgart's attacks today. For their match strategy, Düsseldorf had decided to use their ability to counter-attack whenever possible. Stuttgart were determined to attack on the wing and their central attempts were constantly abandoned in favour of the wings. At 16 minutes played, A. Garzón came in from the right with the intention of giving Stuttgart the lead, but his rocket of a shot rattled the crossbar. With 17 minutes gone, a long pass from the defence of Düsseldorf resulted in a counterattack that set I. Baas free through the middle, but the keeper made a spectacular diving save. After 19 minutes, the home side was awarded a penalty. The visitors protested wildly but the referee was adamant. J. Kivistö easily put the ball away to give the lead to Stuttgart. 1 - 0 Stuttgart's J. Kivistö had to watch the rest of the game from the sidelines, after twisting his ankle with 24 minutes having been played. G. Appeldoorn was the replacement. The opposing supporters gave the referee an earful when he only gave N. Jacquin from Stuttgart a yellow card after a mistimed challenge from behind 28 minutes into the game. That was far too lenient! A. Pintev's knee will be throbbing for days, but thankfully for Düsseldorf, he bravely continued in the match. After 34 minutes, a couple of quick and successful challenges followed by a shot from just outside the penalty area by 浩. 岡本 (Okamoto) might have resulted in another goal for Stuttgart. However, K. Schellenberger made a spectacular save. With 36 minutes played, Stuttgart's V. Limia almost extended the lead, but his shot from the left glanced off the top of the bar to fall behind the net. Düsseldorf almost scored after a counterattack 37 minutes into the match, but I. Baas took a shot from the left that landed harmlessly in the side of the net. Stuttgart's A. Garzón saw his fine effort strike the top of the bar following some good work up the middle by his teammates after 37 minutes. A cross coming in on the right hand side left D. Carter alone in front of the goal after 38 minutes but his shot was woeful. It was 1 - 0 at the break. Possession in the forty-five minutes was dominated by Stuttgart, with 58 percent of the ball.

After 58 minutes, the away team failed to deal with a good exchange of passes on the right, and Y. Vanroose gave the Stuttgart supporters even more to cheer about when he increased the lead to 2 - 0. Düsseldorf had a great opportunity to score following a counterattack after 62 minutes, but D. Carter's shot from the left sailed high over the bar. 浩. 岡本 (Okamoto) could have put Stuttgart up one more, but he fired into the side netting after breaking free on the left after 63 minutes. The home side's G. Appeldoorn came close to extending the lead 64 minutes into the game. His shot came in from the right hand side but K. Schellenberger managed to save it with an unbelievable reaction stop. Content with how the game was proceeding, the Stuttgart coach let H. Klingenspringer replace N. Jacquin after 70 minutes. J. Hegna wanted to play on, but the Stuttgart coach had other ideas, and he was replaced 75 minutes into the game by M. Isaza. As the captain was no longer on the pitch, C. González Arguimanes took over the role of being the Stuttgart captain. Possession in this half belonged to Stuttgart, who controlled the ball 55 percent of the time.

Most important Stuttgart player was L. Duponchelle. However, A. Garzón made a disastrous appearance. Düsseldorf's best player was B. Daeubel. N. Tjäderbeck turned in a dismal performance, however. The match ends 2 - 0.