The strong Stuttgart team also senses their chance against the undefeated Leverkusen team. It is still unclear whether VfB striker Guirassy can take part in the cup clash again.
Coach Sebastian Hoeneß and VfB Stuttgart are traveling full of anticipation to the DFB Cup quarter-finals at Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday (8.45 p.m./ARD and Sky). It was “a huge game” with “incredible significance,” said the 41-year-old on Monday.
Leverkusen, who are still unbeaten in all competitive games this season, are favored, said the Swabians’ coach. “But it’s a game,” said Hoeneß. “That’s the appeal. The chances aren’t huge now, but there will be some.” It’s important for his team to be there.
Ito is definitely in the squad
Along with Bayer, VfB is the surprise of the season so far and is twelve points behind the leaders in third place in the Bundesliga table. The two clubs drew 1-1 in the league in December. The Stuttgart team recently achieved two wins against European Cup participants RB Leipzig (5:2) and SC Freiburg (3:1).
Defender Hiroki Ito will return to the Stuttgart squad after his quarter-final exit with Japan at the Asian Cup. Hoeneß was a little more cautious about goalscorer Serhou Guirassy. The Guinean, who also failed in the quarter-finals with his national team at the Africa Cup, had a slightly delayed return journey and also had slight gastrointestinal problems. He will be checked out and then a decision will be made, the coach explained, emphasizing: “We won’t get him into anything if the risk is too great.”
According to Hoeneß, defender Anthony Rouault, who suffered a broken nose in the game in Freiburg, can play.