VfB Stuttgart can secure participation in the Europa League as early as Saturday evening. However, the Swabians’ head coach ruled out on Friday that Sebastian Hoeneß would then climb the fence to meet the fans.
He focuses on Frankfurt – and the final spurt of the season: VfB coach Sebastian Hoeneß. imago images
VfB Stuttgart only needs one point to at least secure participation in the Europa League. “Six game days before the end…” said Sebastian Hoeneß at the Swabians’ press conference before the home game against Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday evening (6.30 p.m., LIVE! on kicker), almost incredulously: “That should give us strength and energy.” If possible, reach the goal as early as Saturday.
The fact that Hoeneß “promised” some time ago that he would celebrate with the fans on the fence when Stuttgart achieved something made the 41-year-old smile. “No one will see me on the fence,” announced Hoeneß, before adding with a grin: “Unless something gets stuck in the fence that belongs to me and that I have to get down, otherwise I certainly won’t climb up there.”
Because of course everyone in Stuttgart is now focused on the Champions League, and this opportunity is also within reach. But Hoeneß warns of the “difficult program” that, after Frankfurt (H), also includes Bremen (A), Leverkusen (A), Bayern (H), Augsburg (A) and Gladbach (H).
Hoeneß warns of Frankfurt’s “incredible speed”
However, his full focus is on Eintracht, which he sees as “fully on target” despite recent setbacks. Hoeneß’s respect for the team sixth in the table is clearly noticeable. Particularly thanks to the winter transfers, the SGE has an “exceptionally well-staffed squad” with “incredible speed” – “especially at the front”. Hoeneß attests that ex-Stuttgart player Omar Marmoush had an “outstanding season”.
Because Stuttgart was able to inflict coach Dino Toppmöller’s team with their only home defeat of the season so far (1:2) at the end of November, there may be a desire for revenge. Hoeneß expects a “really tough nut to crack” and a team that is “always capable of hurting us.” His antidote? “We need a good plan with and against the ball.”
After the stadium renovation has been completed and in view of a sold-out home crowd, Hoeneß speaks of “outstanding conditions” and “huge anticipation”. When he then found out that Stuttgart had won all of its 6.30 p.m. games so far this season (5/0/0), Hoeneß laughed: “I hope it stays that way.” The first 6:30 p.m. win this season? In Frankfurt.
2024-04-12 19:09:18
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