display

Regardless of the increasingly bizarre power struggle in its management, VfB Stuttgart has at least managed to break free in terms of sport.

At the start of the 19th matchday of the Bundesliga on Friday, the Swabians won 2-0 (0-0) against FSV Mainz 05 and celebrated their long-awaited first league home win of this season in the ninth attempt.

Sasa Kalajdzic (55th minute) and Silas Wamangituka (72nd) scored for the newcomer, who had previously lost twice, but still keeps up with the top half in the table.

For the penultimate from Mainz it was a new setback in the relegation battle a week after the surprising 3-2 against RB Leipzig.

Quarrels in the executive floor

In the run-up to the game, the quarrels in the VfB executive suite, where President Claus Vogt and CEO Thomas Hitzlsperger now also publicly fought with his colleagues on the executive committee, were the dominant topic in Stuttgart.

In terms of sport, the Swabians, who had only got five points from the previous seven games, are now back on track.

display

However, it was not a game for gourmets.

Many tackles and many fouls dominated the scene, while goal area scenes were rare.

Mainz turned out to be an uncomfortable opponent.

With their robust style of play, coach Bo Svensson's team gave VfB little room to play its offensive game.

“The gameplay of the Mainz team is clear to see.

It's about stopping by all means, ”said VfB sports director Sven Mislintat at DAZN.

To make matters worse for the Swabians, Gonzalo Castro had to leave the field injured in his 400th Bundesliga game in the middle of the first half.

But Mainz also had to compensate for an early failure.

For striker Robin Quaison after a knee injury it was over after 27 minutes.

Special jerseys

It is characteristic of the game that Stuttgart's biggest chance in the first round resulted from a Mainz mishap.

After a cross from Borna Sosa, Stefan Bell almost scored an own goal in his 200th competitive game in Mainz, but FSV keeper Robin Zentner was there (24th).

It was also Bell who cleared Philipp Förster after a mistake by Moussa Niakhaté in dire straits (39th).

display

In the first 45 minutes, the Stuttgart team attracted more attention with their special jerseys than with their dreaded attacking game.

Instead of a red one, a rainbow-colored chest ring adorned their jerseys - as a sign of a diverse togetherness.

Great gesture: the VfB jerseys

Source: Getty Images

In the second round, the people from Stuttgart adjusted to the Mainz style of play - and were promptly rewarded.

After Sosa crossed, Kalajdzic headed for the lead.

It was already the sixth goal of the season for the center forward from Austria.

Shortly afterwards, however, template provider Sosa had to go down injured.

And Mainz?

It took until the 61st minute before the Rheinhessen got their first chance to score.

Karim Onisiwo hit the crossbar with a header.

Then Svensson gave the signal for more offensive, brought Kevin Stöger and Levin Öztunali.

This opened up more space for the hosts, which they also took advantage of.

After a counterattack, Wamangituka marked his eleventh goal of the season.