Report
Hitzlsperger shines in Stuttgart win
Sunday 2 October 2005
Thomas Hitzlsperger was in top form against Arminia Bielefeld
Cacau's header early in the game was enough to get Stuttgart the three points. The Brazilian headed the ball in off Thomas Hitzlsperger's superb cross.
The match took place under some heavy rain, and the players really had to work hard with their passes. But despite that, Thomas Hitzlsperger made a fine run along the left flank before putting the cross in for Cacau's headed goal. Cacau kissed the Stuttgart badge on his jersey before hugging and thanking Hitzlsperger for his superb assist. It was the perfect start for Stuttgart and Claudio Ranieri.
In the 14th minute, the home side had the oppurtunity to draw level when Fatmir Vata had the goal at his mercy, but the Albanian striker hit it high and above the crossbar.
Hitzlsperger then led another superb Stuttgart attack and did brilliantly to get past Massimiliano Porcello, but his shot in the end was just over the bar.
Minutes later Hitzlsperger was involved in another Stuttgart attack, and played a nice one-two with Silvio Mei?ner before passing it to Tomasson. But the Dane's shot was blocked by Arminia defender Petr Gabriel.
Arminia Goalkeeper Mathias Hain was called into action again when Cacau found himself in some space after picking up a wonderful 45 yard ball from Heiko Gerber. But the Brazilian's shot was tipped away for a corner by Hain. Stuttgart almost scored from the corner, which was taken by Jesper Gronkjaer, but Marcel Schuon's header was inches wide of goal.
Bernd Korzynietz was shown the first yellow card of the game for pulling Jon Dahl Tomasson's jersey. Hitzlsperger took the free-kick and passed the ball to Tomasson on the left corner before the Dane tried to cross it in but the ball fell to Massimiliano Porcello.
Tomasson then had a decent attempt on goal but Hain was able to handle it comfortably. Cacau rifled a shot in low soon after, but once again Hain came out on top.
Nebojsa Krupnikovic long ranger just before half time was Arminia's only second shot on target, but Timo Hildebrand was able to grab hold of the ball with ease.
Mario Carevic also had a shot that was deflected off Petr Gabriel, but Hain was able to make the save.
Cacau was then involved in a collision with Petr Gabriel, and had to taken off, as Stuttgart played the final few seconds of the first half with ten men.
Ranieri was pleased with the first half performance and told his team to maintain the dominance over the home side.
Cacau was substituted in the second half after picking up that knock in the first half, and Iv?n Gonz?lez came on for the Brazilian. Jon Dahl Tomasson was the victim of a clumsy challenge by Dominik Reinhardt, and the referee had no choice but to show the yellow card. Soon after Massimiliano Porcello also received a yellow card for a tackle from on the back on Thomas Hitzlsperger. The Stuttgart player was making a nice run along the left flank once again before being brought down by a sliding Porcello.
Boris Zivkovic then became the first Stuttgart player to get a yellow card for his tackle on Isaac Boakye.
Following this nasty period of the game, Jesper Gronkjaer got himself into some space and went for goal, only for Mathias Hain to put it away for another corner. And Gronkjaer was looking dangerous once again on that right flank, but was brought down by Tobias Rau, who was yellow carded for the same.
Arminia manager made all the three changes in the 71st minute, bringing in Backhaus, Westermann and Dammeier for Krupnikovic, Kobylik and Korzynietz respectively.
A little later Jon Dahl Tomasson received a nice headed pass from Iv?n Gonz?lez and did brilliantly to get past defenders Backhaus and Rau in the rain. The Stuttgart striker then tried to chip the keeper but the ball dint dip in time and fell on the top netting. Tomasson was disappointed with the final touch.
Stuttgart then went on the defensive as Ranieri introduced Christian Genter for Mario Carevic, and Markus Babbel for Boris Zivkovic. But Arminia werent able to find an equaliser and Stuttgart won the game 1-0.
After the game, Stuttgart manager Claudio Ranieri was full of praise for Thomas Hitzlsperger.
"Thomas was fantastic today. He was always getting into good positions and also made some great passes and crosses. He created our goal, and had a fine game overall.
And overall I am very pleased with the players have responded after a disappointing display in the UEFA Cup," said Ranieri.
Arminia manager Thomas von Heesen said his team have been outplayed again and need to work a lot harder to chance things around.
"
We were thrashed last weekend by Bayern, and today despite losing just by one goal, were outclassed by Stuttgart. I do not have the best players at my disposal, but will have to work a lot harder with all that I have to try and get back some form, and quickly," said von Heesen.
Man of the match Thomas Hitzlsperger was pleased with the team's display and said his team were ready for the eagerly anticipated clash against Bayern in mid-week.
"We enjoyed ourselves today and produced some of our best football. A lot of the things that we have been practicising so hard in training were executed perfectly on the field, despite the wet outfield.
We are now confident of facing and matching Bayern, and we do have the advantage of playing at home as well. Should be a great match, and one we can win," said Hitzlsperger.
: . But I still cant recall any other player getting injured after scoring in the same game.
