8/07/2009

CL: Poli - VFB Stuttgart

A good opponent for what should prove an interesting tie.

German football may not be at its historic best, but the Bundesliga has become a tighter affair in recent years, with surprise winners picking up the league title, as evidence to show that a very strong field had formed behind and around Bayern Munchen. Stuttgart is part of that group and while it sold its main striker in the summer transfer period, the squad has been completed with two equally impressive players, in the likes of Pogrebnyak and Hleb. The question is how well these have adapted to the team, as well as how well the team can handle official matches with the season starting only yesterday in Germany.

There is no reason why we shouldn't believe qualification is possible, as if there even is any difference between Shakhtar and VFB, it has to be in favour of the Ukrainian team. True, we most likely won't hold out for another skirmish like the one at Donetsk, but hopefully the experience gained in these last two matches will help improve our player's belief and sheer focus.

First leg at home, on the 18th of August, return leg one week later.

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