VfB Stuttgart 1 : 0 Hannover 96 - Stuttgart break duck

Posted Sunday, September 28, 2014 by PA

Stuttgart picked up their first win of the season to move off the foot of the table and out of the bottom three by beating Hannover 1-0.

Daniel Schwaab scored the only goal of the game as the Swabians deservedly beat their rivals from Lower Saxony to win back some of the faith they had lost in back-to-back home defeats to Cologne and Hoffenheim.

Daniel Didavi was again the orchestrator for Armin Veh's side, proving to be a constant thorn in Hannover's side.

Stuttgart's 2-2 draw at Borussia Dortmund in midweek was a first step forwards for the club, who parted company with director of sport Fredi Bobic just before that game on Wednesday, and the next was due to follow at the Mercedes-Benz Arena.

Didavi, who scored both goals on Wednesday, was again in good form for Veh's men, setting up Timo Werner for the first shot of the game which just missed the target.

Didavi's crosses were the source of greatest danger and the fans, who had been whistling and calling for Bobic to be sacked during the home defeat to Hoffenheim a week ago, were beginning to warm to the winger.

Another of his crosses was diverted towards goal by Christian Gentner's heel, but Marcelo was alert to the danger and was able to clear the ball before it crossed the line.

Didavi continued to inspire Stuttgart early in the second half, but Hannover nearly snatched the lead when Hiroshi Kiyotake found Leonardo Bittencourt on the break. His pass back to Manuel Schmiedebach, though, was wasted by the full-back, who did not connect well with the ball.

Didavi then missed a one-on-one with Ron-Robert Zieler before Stuttgart finally broke Hannover's resistance.

Gentner knocked on a corner at the near post and Schwaab's shot crossed the line before Miiko Albornoz was able to clear.

Joselu could have snatched an equaliser but for some desperate Stuttgart defending, but the hosts were good value for their win, their first of the season.