VfB Stuttgart 0 : 0 SC Paderborn 07 - Stuttgart and Paderborn all square

Posted Sunday, December 21, 2014 by PA

Stuttgart and Paderborn ended 2014 with goalless draw at the Mercedes-Benz-Arena, leaving two points between the two sides heading into 2015.

Chances were few and far between, but the best fell Paderborn's way with Sven Ulreich earning credit for Stuttgart taking a point.

Huub Stevens' men failed once again to win two games in a row for the first time this season, but at least ensured they will spend the winter break outside the bottom two.

The Mercedes-Benz-Arena was almost a sell-out on Saturday with 55,000 fans trying to urge Stuttgart to a vital win against Paderborn, but the guests refused to be intimidated.

They had the first chance of the game, but an offside flag came to Stuttgart's rescue before Timo Werner wasted a good chance at the other end.

Daniel Didavi was back in the Stuttgart side after injury and he was providing Stuttgart's inspiration and their first shot on goal, a direct free-kick which Lukas Kruse did well to turn over the crossbar.

Marvin Bakalorz only found the side-netting with another good chance for Paderborn before Adam Hlousek headed inches wide from five yards out with the best chance of the opening half an hour.

Daniel Bruckner hit his own post towards the end of the first half, misjudging his touch back towards Kruse, who had come out to meet the ball with both relieved to see it bounce away after hitting the woodwork.

Ulreich made a fine save at the start of the second half to deny Uwe Hunemeier as Paderborn continued to create the better chances.

However, there was no way through and tiredness started to show on both sides with the contest effectively ending a good 20 minutes before the referee brought an end to proceedings and sent both sides into their Christmas holidays.