Lehmann madness
December 14, 2009
Stuttgart had victory all but wrapped up on Sunday until a Jens Lehmann moment of madness gave Mainz the easy equalizer.
Stuttgart were leading 1-0 when the former German national team goalkeeper intentionally stepped on Aristide Bance's foot in the penalty area. Lehmann, who was retaliating for an earlier Bance challenge that he thought was late, was sent off for the offense. Mainz was awarded a penalty, which Eugen Polanski converted.
"Obviously, it's bitter to give up that equalizer. I have to talk with Jens first about the incident," said Stuttgart's technical director, Horst Heldt, after the match.
Lehmann could face a suspension fromt he German FA for his actions. He is alrready in trouble with his club - Lehamn reportedly refused to pay a hefty fine imposed last week after he openly criticized club officials over the sacking of coach Markus Babbel.
The 40-year-old goalkeeper received a 40,000-euro ($59,000) fine after saying in a television interview that Stuttgart had "caved in to the demands of young fans" when it sacked Babbel and replaced him with new trainer Christian Gross.
Until Lehmann's foul, Stuttgart looked set to build on a 3-1 midweek victory over Romania's Unirea Urziceni that secured the club's place in the last 16 of the Champions League.
Instead, the 1-1 draw leaves Stuttgart fourth from bottom in the standings, one spot above the relegation zone.
Nine-game unbeaten streak
Meanwhile, Borussia Dortmund stretched their unbeaten run to nine games after three first-half goals gave them an easy win over VfL Wolfsburg.
Lucas Barrios struck twice in the opening 10 minutes, and Patrick Owomoyela added a third to move head coach Juergen Klopp's side up to sixth place in the Bundesliga standings, just five points behind leaders Bayer Leverkusen, who only managed a 2-2 draw against cellar dwellers Hertha Berlin on Friday.
Brazilian striker Grafite managed to pull Wolfsburg to within two goals at the 55 minute mark, but the threat from Armin Veh's side was never serious, any Wolfsburg remains in ninth place..
glb/Reuters/dpa
Editor: Chuck Penfold