20th matchday
VfB still without a win under Labbadia
Freiburg’s Vincenzo Grifo scored twice from the penalty spot. photo
© Bernd Weißbrod/dpa
At the fifth attempt, VfB missed a win in the league under coach Labbadia. The anger is directed at the VAR. But the Stuttgart professionals also have to be accused of something.
Bruno Labbadia obviously found it difficult to hide his disappointment.
The coach of VfB Stuttgart was not only disappointed after the 1: 2 (1: 0) in the Bundesliga at SC Freiburg, he was also very angry. This was primarily due to video referee Sören Storks, who intervened before both Breisgauers scored. Because only after his call did the referee Sascha Stegemann decide on a penalty on Saturday. Vincenzo Grifo converted safely (60th/84th).
VfB clearly criticizes VAR
“I really don’t feel like talking about the penalties,” said Labbadia, only to do so after all. “The VAR was introduced to uncover blatant mistakes. And then the referee needs what feels like ten minutes to decide. I remain a total opponent of the VAR. It destroys football.” In the Sky interview, the trainer even ranted: “Above all, you can’t get the referee out who makes a clear decision. That’s how you destroy the referees.”
His assistant coach Bernhard Trares was just as clear on the way to the dressing room in Stuttgart. “In 20 years I haven’t lost a game with two penalties. You always get screwed,” he rumbled clearly. Sports director Fabian Wohlgemuth, on the other hand, was more diplomatic: “Both penalties involve physical contact and you can probably use both. But the second was certainly decided against us with full force.”
“And every day the groundhog says hello”
However, the VfB pros also have to be accused of not looking for a way forward as consistently after Chris Führich took the lead (30′). “And every day the groundhog says hello,” said Labbadia. “We played well again and again didn’t reward ourselves because the last pass or the last decision didn’t work.”
Overall, the ultimate consequence was missing. Luca Pfeiffer, who was called up to replace the injured Serhou Guirassy, was hardly involved. Gil Dias also remained pale. The only bright spot in Stuttgart’s attacking game was Führich, who had recently been criticized for making wrong decisions on the field. In Freiburg he hit the right one with his dream goal.
Liberation against Cologne?
For Labbadia it is now a matter of building up his team. The longed-for liberation should succeed against 1. FC Köln on Saturday (3.30 p.m. / Sky). First of all, it is also a matter for the coach to come to terms with the defeat. “We in the coaching staff will also need a few hours,” he said. He can understand that the unrest in the area is growing. “But it’s important that we stay calm,” said Labbadia. “We have to keep our heads up.”
In the current situation, in which VfB has to cope with neck blows week after week, that should be difficult enough. In Freiburg, goalkeeper Florian Müller was out shortly before kick-off due to stomach problems. He was represented by Fabian Bredlow, who did a good job. “But we don’t need to feel sorry for each other. It’s going straight on,” said Wohlgemuth, at least, trying to get over the next setback quickly.