VfB Stuttgart starts the Europa League against Celta Vigo. Trainer Hoeneß expects a heated game. He leaves open whether his captain will play right from the start.
The table seventh of the Primera Division of last season is waiting for VfB Stuttgart. Although the Spaniards did not get victory in the previous six games of the current season and ranked 15th, Hoeneß expects a difficult task. “It will be a board,” said the VfB coach at the press conference.
It was “just great to be able to play internationally,” said Hoeneß, who had been eliminated with VfB last season in the Ligaphase of the Champions League. According to the coach, the team is “hot for the next international journey”.
This also applies to Himedin Demirovic. “As a child, you dreamed of playing Europe, regardless of whether this is the Champions League or the Europa League,” said the VfB striker, who had recently met twice in the Bundesliga.
Karazor return open to the VfB starting eleven
Hoeneß left open whether captain Atakan Karazor will return to the starting eleven at the start of the Europa League. “I will not comment on the starting line -up of tomorrow,” said the Swabian coach before the game on Thursday (9 p.m.). “We have a lot of games and also have to look at topics such as the stress control.”
At the 2-0 victory last against FC St. Pauli In the Bundesliga, Karazor had been sitting on the bench almost the entire game and had only been substituted shortly before the end.
Heaty friendly between VfB and Celta Vigo
Should the 28-year-old also have to stay outside against Vigo, the Chema Andrés, which is strong against St. Pauli, should be his representative again in the duel with his compatriots. Regardless of this, Hoeneß expects a heated game.
“We should definitely be prepared to meet an emotional team,” said the coach. At a Summer test game had partly resulted in pack formation on the pitch. “Why should that be less now?” Said Hoeneß.
Undav continues to progress
Except for the continued injured striker Deniz Undav, all players are available to the trainer. When the international can return to the square, Hoeneß left open. “He took a good step forward in the last few days,” he said. “He gets closer. I can’t say exactly when that will be.”
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Broadcast on Wed., 24.9.20225 3:00 p.m., SWR Currently in the afternoon, SWR Current
