3rd place against 17th place – the table constellation is clear and still doesn’t mean anything in Sebastian Hoeneß’s eyes. Stuttgart’s coach warns urgently about their upcoming opponents Mainz 05.
Sebastian Hoeneß urgently warns his team about Mainz 05. IMAGO/RHR photo
The star menu from Cup Tuesday in Leverkusen (2:3) is followed by the dry bread of the Bundesliga on Sunday against Mainz. A game that, at first glance at the table, leaves no doubt as to the expected winner and hardly any tasty football to be expected. But Sebastian Hoeneß warns urgently about the Rheinhessen. The apparent dwarf from the table cellar definitely has a number of qualities in certain areas that could cause problems for Stuttgart.
Hoeneß warns about “Brett” Mainz
Since promotion in 2020, the traditional club from the Neckar is still unbeaten against Mainz, with five wins and two draws. Only against one other current Bundesliga club does VfB have an equally long streak without defeat: against Darmstadt, the bottom of the table, who await the Swabians a week later. Before facing Cologne, the sixteenth. The fact that Mainz has been waiting for a win in 14 away games, including their first of the season, sounds like easy pickings.
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But anyone who expects secure victories against the current basement trio is on the wrong boat, says Hoeneß, who already sees a high hurdle in FSV Mainz. “It’s very difficult to create situations against them, let alone score goals,” says the 41-year-old. “This is a team that invests an incredible amount: they have a lot of duels, they play hard on the border, they run intensively, with a lot of long and second balls and they defend diligently and with lots of legs. That’s a board.”
Question marks behind Guirassy, Undav and Nübel
Hoeneß warned his players about this in his first speech and will warn him again. He wants to prevent “you from misclassifying anything by looking at the table. Sure, Mainz is in a difficult situation right now and is at the bottom of the table. But the team is difficult to play against.” The fact that there are question marks behind the top performers Serhou Guirassy, Deniz Undav and Alexander Nübel doesn’t make it any easier.
On Sunday, basic virtues are once again in demand. “We have to be ready to get down to business, to lead duels and endure duels, to endure hardship and push ourselves to the limit. Just like we did on Tuesday in Leverkusen,” says Hoeneß, who has great confidence in this regard. “We are very, very well advised to take the game 100 percent seriously. But the team has always proven that they don’t really underestimate anyone.” His speech to the team did not lack any clarity. “Especially after one or two hymns of praise from the Leverkusen game, it was important to get this message into people’s minds. I hope I succeeded in doing that.”
2024-02-10 13:13:29
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