The first Saturday matches of 2015 included fourth place Borussia Mönchengladbach travelling to fourth from bottom Stuttgart, the away side prevailing as most predicted.
The away side would start the better as they produced two good chances inside the opening minutes, both from Stranzl. The first was a header that flew over the bar but just a minute later, the defender saw his volleyed effort stopped well.
In fact, it was one way traffic in the first half, Mönchengladbach dominating the possession and looking the more threatening but Stuttgart almost took the lead fifteen minutes before the break as a cross was deflected onto Yann Sommer's crossbar.
Despite piling on the pressure and again going close to the breakthrough through Branimir Hrgota, the 1st half remained goalless, somehow.
Half-time: VfB Stuttgart 0-0 Borussia Mönchengladbach: A first period dominated by the away team but to no avail as both sides couldn't find an opener.
Stuttgart managed to start the 2nd half better, providing an early chance for Niedermeier inside the six-yard box but it flew over. Although they started well, Stuttgart found themselves a goal down after 71 minutes, Patrick Hermann scoring for the visitors. Branimir Hrgota burst through the defence, found Hermann running alongside and the German's powerful finish found the back of the net, 1-0.
Seven minutes before full time, Ibisevic has a golden chance to equalise as he was unmarked inside the area but his header was straight at Yann Sommer, a disappointing effort from the Bosnian international.
Ibisevic was almost made to pay for his miss a minute later after Fabian Johnson's solo run led to the American curling an effort past the far post. We were almost gifted late drama when a ball into the Gladbach box turned into pinball but somehow, it stayed out and the ball was cleared.
Full-time: VfB Stuttgart 0-1 Borussia Mönchengladbach: A tough victory for the Fohlenelf in both teams 2015 opener, Patrick Hermann proving the difference.