VfB Stuttgart – Borussia Dortmund: Stuttgart Send Another Message (2-1)

One club usually performs above and beyond what most would have expected in a season, and this year's package in Germany is Stuttgart. Time will tell for how long their superb streak will prevail, but a sterling response to their recent results indicates the fun of the ride is not yet over.

Tactical analysis and match report by Emmanuel Adeyemi-Abere.

Stuttgart have been the surprise of the season in Germany. The Swabians survived by the skin of their teeth only a few months ago, thrashing Hamburg in the relegation playoff. Sebastian Hoeneß steered them to safety, but no one could have expected his outfit to triumph in all but one of their eight first fixtures in the new campaign. Two losses on the trot to Hoffenheim and Heidenheim have halted momentum. However, a return to winning ways would ensure this sensational start did not stall.

Their guests have been experiencing their own rollercoaster. Building upon foundations from the first half of the new year that took them to the brink of the promised land, Borussia Dortmund enjoyed five successive league victories. A six point swing in their favor over Newcastle United has revitalized dreams in the Champions League, but a 4-0 Der Klassiker drubbing doused dreams closer to . . .