VfB Stuttgart | Magical Champions League nights in Bad Cannstatt

With VfB’s home game against Sparta Prague, the MHP Arena will be entering the international stage again this evening. In the past, Bad Cannstatt experienced some magical nights in the Champions League. We remember three of these special games.

Home game against Manchester United – October 1, 2003
Exactly 21 years ago to the day, VfB welcomed English champions Manchester United in Bad Cannstatt. After an unfortunate 2-1 defeat at Glasgow Rangers, VfB wanted to score points in the first home game of the Champions League season, but had to deal with the star ensemble of legendary United coach Sir Alex Ferguson. After a 5-0 win in the opening game against Panathinaikos Athens, the northern English team traveled to Stuttgart with a big chest, but experienced their white and red miracle in the arena that was sold out with 50,348 spectators. After a goalless first half, it only took five minutes in the second half before VfB took the lead. Philipp Lahm headed a diagonal ball from Fernando Meira towards the striker, where striker Imre Szabics suddenly had a lot of grass in front of him. With a precise finish from 20 meters, the Hungarian finished past United keeper Tim Howard to make it 1-0 (50th). Just two minutes later, VfB counterattacked in their own stadium. The ball landed at Kevin Kuranyi via the fast Alex Hleb and Imre Szabics. Tim Howard stormed out of his goal again and the American was overcome again. Kevin Kuranyi’s shot landed in the English goal with the help of the lower edge of the crossbar and put VfB ahead 2-0 as clear outsiders (52′).

15 minutes later the guests came again. According to the referee, Timo Hildebrand brought down Cristiano Ronaldo (now the record player and goalscorer in the Champions League with 140 goals in 183 games) in his Champions League debut, for which he awarded the guests a penalty. Ruud van Nistelrooy shortened the score (67′). A little later, VfB also received a penalty after a foul by Rio Ferdinand on Kevin Kuranyi, but Fernando Meira found his match in Tim Howard (80th). But only in this situation, because in the end the fans in the stands and the team on the pitch celebrated VfB’s first home win in the Champions League since September 1992 (3-0 against Leeds United).

In this Champions League season, VfB reached second place behind Manchester United with 12 points from six group games, made it to the round of 16 and was narrowly eliminated by Chelsea FC (0-1 after the return leg).

Home game against Glasgow Rangers – November 27, 2007
As the reigning German champions, VfB had a very bad start to the 2007/2008 Champions League season. After four games, the team coached by Armin Veh was at the bottom of Group E with no points. Scottish runners-up Glasgow Rangers traveled to the Neckar for the fifth matchday. He wanted to take a big step towards the round of 16 with a win at VfB. But things turned out differently for the Scots: Although the Rangers took the lead after just under half an hour thanks to Charlie Adams’ goal (27th), Cacau equalized in stoppage time in the first half (45th + 2). . In a hard-fought game, Pavel Pardo gave VfB the lead after an hour (62′), but the visitors brought the score level again when Barry Ferguson scored for Glasgow eight minutes later (70′).

Despite the 2-2 goal, VfB pushed for the winning goal in the final phase and ultimately rewarded themselves for their efforts. Summer newcomer Ciprian Marica scored the celebrated 3-2 for VfB in the 85th minute. It was the boys from Cannstatt’s only win in the 2007/2008 Champions League season, as they finished the group stage in fourth place. It wasn’t enough for Glasgow Rangers to reach the round of 16 either. On the last matchday, the Scots lost 3-0 in a direct duel against Olympique Lyon. Curiously, VfB’s two group opponents at the time face each other this week on the second matchday of the Europa League league phase.

Home game against FC Barcelona – February 23, 2010
One of VfB’s special evenings in the UEFA Champions League is the first leg of the round of 16 of the 2009/2010 season against FC Barcelona. Not only because it was the last premier class game in Bad Cannstatt to date, but also because VfB kept up well against the then world team from Catalonia.

The previous year, under the leadership of Pep Guardiola (later FC Bayern, now Manchester City), FC Barcelona had managed to win the triple of national championship, cup victory and Champions League victory, and shortly before the round of 16 there was also the triumph of the Club World Cup added. VfB, who finished the group stage in second place behind Sevilla FC, had anything but an easy task ahead of them. The performance of Christian Gross’ team was all the more impressive. In front of 40,000 spectators in the arena that was being renovated, it was VfB that was initially allowed to cheer. After a cross from Timo Gebhart, Cacau rose highest in the aerial duel with Carles Puyol and scored to make it 1-0 after 25 minutes. The lead lasted until shortly after halftime. In the 52nd minute, Zlatan Ibrahimovic equalized for the Catalans, which also marked the final score.

In the second leg in Barcelona, ​​VfB didn’t have luck on their side. The defending champions won 4-0 at Camp Nou at home thanks to goals from Lionel Messi (2), Pedro and Bojan Krkic.