VfB Stuttgart’s high flight has come to an end. Those in charge and the players can assess the situation and hope for a reaction in the cup against Union Berlin on Tuesday.
Stuttgart’s sports director Fabian Wohlgemuth felt almost forgotten emotions after the end of the almost intoxicating high flight. Wohlgemuth found VfB’s 2:3 (0:2) defeat against TSG 1899 Hoffenheim “annoying”.
The Swabians retained the upper hand in almost all statistical categories. They took significantly more shots on goal, won more duels and had a total of 6-0 corners – only the result spoke against VfB. “It wasn’t meant to be,” said Wohlgemuth.
The temporary jump to the top of the Bundesliga was not successful because the best away team in the league continued its series and thereby ended VfB’s after six wins. Stuttgart has 21 points after nine matchdays, Hoffenheim has three points less. What also speaks for TSG: Only two other teams in the league’s history have managed to start with five points away from home.
VfB demanded again on Tuesday
Wohlgemuth is sure that the first home defeat in the league under the leadership of coach Sebastian Hoeneß will not upset Stuttgart. “Very few people believed that we would go through the season without mistakes and without defeat,” he said. “But we will give up places in the table, so the disappointment remains.”
There isn’t much time to work on the damper. The second round game in the DFB Cup against the struggling 1. FC Union Berlin is scheduled for Tuesday evening. “I always think it’s good that things continue straight away. That’s the best way to deal with setbacks,” said Hoeneß.
This is particularly true for Deniz Undav. The representative of Serhou Guirassy, who scored 14 goals this season, was unsuccessful for a long time against Hoffenheim. After Grischa Prömel (5th minute) and Wout Weghorst (21st) gave TSG an early lead, Undav missed a penalty after half an hour. After the break he prepared the goal for new national player Chris Führich, and he scored the final score himself with his head. Robert Skov scored for Hoffenheim to make it 3-1.
Undav self-critical
“I was a decisive factor as to why we didn’t win the game,” said the starting eleven self-critically. “I put pressure on myself, but the penalty has to go in. I have to keep my head up now and react.”
Stuttgart still has to make do without key figure Guirassy for the time being, but with Führich, Silas Katompa Mvumpa, Enzo Millot and Undav they have players who can also decide games. For Hoeneß, what matters in the cup is that his team reaches its limits in defense. “Counter-defense is also an issue against Union. At Berlin it was Sheraldo Becker, against Hoffenheim it was Maximilian Beier and that is a central point where we have to start.”
After the six victories in a row, Wohlgemuth and Hoeneß repeatedly spoke of humility. But those in charge of the team that was almost relegated last season also have the necessary sensitivity to assess the situation correctly in this situation. “The team is now so stable that they can handle it,” said Wohlgemuth.
Source: Stern
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