VFB Stuttgart 2 Birmingham City 0: Colin Tattum's verdict
IT IS longer than most people might care to remember the last time Blues played opposition of such standard on tour, particularly first up.
Aside from their pedigree – Stuttgart have Champions League qualifiers to prepare for – the Germans have been back training since June 27 and have notched five friendlies already.
However, Blues put in a decent performance against the Bundesliga side at the picturesque ground in the Zell am See suburb of Schüttdorf nestling on the shore of Lake Zeller.
Alex McLeish was not dejected afterwards on what was Blues’ second day proper of their Austria jaunt, and a game to essentially blow away the cobwebs.
It was only at the end that Blues succumbed to Stuttgart when McLeish had changed personnel, which always causes disruption, and gave his younger, rawer, tourists a chance to do their bit.
Brazilian Elson’s superb curling drive from the edge of the penalty area in the 78th minute that eluded debutant Joe Hart put Stuttgart ahead and that was followed-up by Julian Schieber’s header from a corner delivered by Thomas Hitzlsperger with seven minutes left.
McLeish opted to use a 4-5-1 formation with James McFadden on the right, Keith Fahey the left.
Roger Johnson made an assured debut at centre-half, with Stuart Parnaby answering the left-back conundrum.
