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| Stuttgart with a 4 - 2 home win against Freiburg |
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There was a clear blue sky and beaming sunshine above the heads of the 41,500 spectators who filled the Mercedes-Benz Arena for VfB's first home game in the 47th Bundesliga season. And it was the home fans who got to do the celebrating at the end as their side notched up their first three points of the season with a 4-2 win over SC Freiburg.
VfB were in control of the Baden-Wurttemberg derby right from the outset, despite a number of first team players being rested ahead of Tuesday's vital Champions League Play-Off tie. With just a quarter hour on the clock, Cacau had the opportunity to open the scoring but the German international's effort went centimetres wide of the mark. The Stuttgart defence was never threatened throughout the first half of the game but, as the home side also failed to make constructive use of the chances which presented themselves during the first 45 minutes, the sides went in at the break locked still at 0-0.
Pogrebnyak opens his account
VfB dominated again from the start of the second period and in the 53rd minute they were finally rewarded for their industry. Having combined wonderfully with Alex Hleb, Arthur Boka broke away on the left and drove goal-wards before picking out Pavel Pogrebnyak, who simply slotted into an empty net to make it 1-0 and notch up his first goal for his new club.
The opening goal appeared to breathe new life into the match and suddenly there were chances at either end. Firstly Elson tested Freiburg keeper Manuel Salz with a well hit free-kick (59') and five minutes later the SC keeper was involved again, this time bringing down Pogrebnyak to concede a penalty which Elson duly converted - 2-0. Just six minutes later Freiburg were back in the game as Mohamadou Idrissou rose to head unstoppably past Jens Lehmann and reduce the deficit to 2-1.
The goal failed to turn the tie in the visitors favour though and in the 76th minute, VfB restored their two goal advantage as Elson drove a stunning shot home from all of 27 meters out. In what had developed into a fascinating half of football, SC managed to reduce the deficit again when a shot from Jonathan Jäger was deflected in off Idissou but, with four minutes to go, Julian Schieber put the match well and truly beyond the visitors with a wonderfully taken goal from the edge of the box to make the final score 4-2 and hand VfB their first three points of the new season.
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