Midfielder Angelo Stiller from VfB Stuttgart reacted taciturnly to his non-nomination for the final World Cup qualifiers. The Swabians are surprised anyway.
“We discussed it internally. That has to be enough,” said Stiller during VfB Stuttgart’s Europa League home game against Feyenoord (2-0). RTL. The 24-year-old responded to further questions with: “No comment.”
Stiller’s importance for VfB “couldn’t be greater,” said Stuttgart head coach Sebastian Hoeneß after the important home win against Rotterdam.
Stiller is a “very central player” for the reigning DFB Cup winners, the 43-year-old praised his protégé. “I wouldn’t have expected that,” said Hoeneß, commenting on his midfield director’s non-nomination for the national team.
Video: Stuttgart’s late double strike in the video
At the same time, Stuttgart’s successful coach made it clear: “Nevertheless, that’s the way it is now, and we will of course stick to the fact that we don’t question any things.”
VfB Stuttgart is surprised
Sports director Fabian Wohlgemuth was surprised. “It is the national coach who nominated the DFB squad and he must have had his motives. But I have to admit, that caused a surprise for us. Especially because Angelo has made further enormous progress in his development and has been one of the key success-determining players in our team again for a few weeks,” the 46-year-old told “Bild”.
At the end of the World Cup qualification, the DFB team will face Luxembourg (November 14th) and Slovakia (November 17th).
Only two VfB professionals in the Nagelsmann squad
National coach Julian Nagelsmann only named two VfB players in his squad: winger Jamie Leweling and goalkeeper Alexander Nübel. Like Stiller, left-back Maximilian Mittelstädt and attacker Deniz Undav were not taken into account.
“I spoke to Julian, we are in good communication. I know that the door is not closed for me. Next year in March, when we head towards the World Cup, I want to be in top shape so that I can take part. Now it’s up to me,” Mittelstädt reacted to “Bild”.
According to Undav, both Stiller and Mittelstädt “should be part of the national team based on their quality”. The attacker is quoted by the tabloid as saying that he “cannot understand” the decision.
Before the international break in the Bundesliga, VfB Stuttgart hosts FC Augsburg (Sunday, 5:30 p.m.). Stiller will then probably be back in the Swabians’ starting eleven. The Munich native has already made 16 competitive appearances for VfB this season.