Former Liverpool defender Markus Babbel enjoyed a winning start to his Bundesliga managerial career as VFB Stuttgart beat Schalke 04 2-0 at home on Sunday. This was Babbel’s second game in charge of Stuttgart, having earlier overseen the midweek draw against Sampdoria in the UEFA Cup. Substitute Jan Simak and striker Mario Gomez scored in the 79th and 83rd minutes respectively to give Stuttgart their first win in six games.
Stuttgart keeper Jens Lehmann also saved a 16th minute penalty from Jefferson Farfan which was awarded after Artur Boka had brought Kevin Kuranyi down. Farfan had also been guilty of squandering a chance three minutes later, with his weak shot being cleared off the line after Jermaine Jones had hit the post.
Simak, a second half substitute for Thomas Hitzlsperger scored the opening goal in the 79th minute, lifting the ball over Stuttgart keeper Manuel Neuer. Four minutes later, Gomez sealed the game, latching on to Pavel Pardo’s pass and slotting past Neuer.
Stuttgart move up a place to 10th, while Schalke slip two places to ninth. Die Roten now have 21 points from 15 games, while the Royal Blues have 23 from their fifteen.
Note ( Mario Gomez photo originally taken by Hanney-Vans)