A team that could be on the way to better things is Stuttgart. Had they displayed the form in 2011 that they displayed in 2012, they could have been challenging for top honours. Their potential became apparent in Dortmund when holding the Champions in a match of the highest standard of football. Borussia had been beaten in the early season three times, but the difference was that they were at the top of their form when the Swabians almost beat them on their own patch. Team coach Labbadia has got the makings of a fine side together. When he came on the scene last season, relegation was the main issue. Now he’s moved them up a few levels where they may be participating in the Europa League, and it’ll be surprising if they aren’t doing battle in the leading group in the future. There are some new familiar faces in the squad too, such as former Hoffenheim striker Ibisevic. Harnik and Ibisevic immediately clicked as duel strikers and eventually bagged several goals between them. Veteran striker Cacau is still a force and is often successfully deployed as a late substitute. Class midfielder Hajnal was again an important cog in the Swabian wheel during much of the season.
