Bundesliga
The DFB quartet from VfB Stuttgart returns with a “good feeling”.
These four Stuttgart players (above/from left) Maximilian Mittelstädt, Waldemar Anton, (below/from left) Deniz Undav and Chris Führich are returning to the Bundesliga as national players. photo
© Tom Weller/dpa
Shortly after the successful international matches, VfB Stuttgart and its German national players take on 1. FC Heidenheim. VfB coach Hoeneß comments on the risk of a voltage drop.
Coach Sebastian Hoeneß does not fear a loss of tension among the four German national players VfB Stuttgart. After the successful international matches against France (2:0) and the Netherlands (2:1), the coach is counting on Maximilian Mittelstädt, Chris Führich, Deniz Undav and Waldemar Anton to carry the fresh momentum into the game on Sunday (5.30 p.m./DAZN ) against 1. FC Heidenheim.
“There could be a risk,” said Hoeneß when asked about a possible drop in tension: “I don’t see it as that big now. The boys now have a clear goal in mind that we can bring the extraordinary season to an extraordinary end.”
It is the “clear expectation” of the national players that they can adapt. “If you want to achieve special things, it shouldn’t be a problem to be 100 percent motivated, even for Heidenheim.” After a successful season so far, the Swabians are in third place in the Bundesliga table and have good prospects of qualifying for the Champions League for the first time since the 2009/10 season.
Hoeneß wants to bring euphoria into the team
The German national team quartet of VfB “came back with a good feeling,” reported Hoeneß. “It was a great experience to experience the euphoria there and help initiate it. There were two really good games, the boys were part of it. That gives them a good feeling.”
The use of Atakan Karazor against Heidenheim is questionable. The midfielder is ill and, according to Hoeneß, should not train on Thursday. Things are looking more positive for his midfield colleague Enzo Millot, who is also ill. Defender Hiroki Ito returned from the Japanese national team with back problems. “We assume that we can manage it,” said Hoeneß. The sick substitute goalkeeper Fabian Bredlow will definitely not be an option.