VfB Stuttgart missed two important points in the 1-1 draw against VfL Bochum in the relegation battle. Bochum’s Armel Bella Kotchap (56th minute) gave VfB the lead with an own goal. Eduard Löwen equalized in added time with a penalty kick. Konstantinos Mavropanos had previously brought down Sebastian Polter.
Everything goes wrong for VfB against Bochum
For Mislintat, the appearance against Bochum was a reflection of the previous season. “A game that brings together everything you don’t need. The serious injury to Silasmissed scoring chances and made a slight mistake that ended up being punished with a penalty,” said the 49-year-old.
“Unfortunately we failed to take chances to get three points even if we conceded a goal,” continued Mislintat. Nevertheless, he sees good chances for VfB in the fight to stay in the Bundesliga. Of course, the players are disappointed after a blow to the neck like against Bochum, but “the group dynamics and how the team accepts the situation” give Mislintat hope in the relegation battle.
Mislintat wants to keep things calm at VfB Stuttgart
Mislintat sees his central task in the difficult sporting weeks as “enabling the team and coach to be able to continue working calmly”.
As the team and coach work together, Mislintat encourages them to “stand behind Rino (coach Pellegrino Matarazzo) and the lads”. It is important that the VfB team continue to work with such concentration.
VfB still has everything in their own hands
Mislintat even comes in handy for criticism of himself: “I’d rather get them than the group getting them,” said Mislintat. “I see myself as completely responsible for everyone.”
Given the 17th place in the table, criticism is “absolutely okay,” said Mislintat. “But we know where we come from, we know our general conditions. We said clearly that even in a normal season we can avoid relegation. But we still have everything in our own hands to make it,” said the sporting director.
Mislintat on criticism of the composition of the squad
Mislintat only accepts criticism of the composition of the squad to a limited extent. With Gonzalo Castro, Gregor Kobel and Nicolas Gonzales, the club had to give up three pillars for economic reasons related to the corona pandemic.
With goalkeeper Florian Müller and Chris Führich, however, experienced players have also been added and “not just 17-year-old talents, as is always polemically portrayed”.
In general, decisions are made in the group, as is the case with the composition of the squad at VfB. In the case of the sporting staff between Mislintat, coach Matarazzo and Thomas Hitzlsperger.
The club maintains the philosophy of always questioning the circumstances and then making decisions as a team, i.e. teamwork. This will also be in demand on the pitch at VfB if the league is still to succeed.
Source: SWR