Stuttgart kickstart their Europa League campaign against Celta Vigo at the MHP Arena on Thursday night. It’s the first time VfB have played back-to-back seasons in a European competition since 2012-2014.
The two teams met in pre-season, which proved to be an intense affair, and Stuttgart head coach Sebastian Hoeneß expects a similar match.
Speaking in Wednesday’s press conference, Hoeneß said: “Why should it be any different this time? Back then, it was just a friendly. Tomorrow it’s much more important.
“A floodlit game, 60,000 fans – everyone knows what that does to Stuttgart.”
Last year, Stuttgart played in the Champions League, but Hoeneß expects VfB’s fans to be as raucous as ever, reiterating that their involvement in a European competition shouldn’t be taken for granted: “Being able to play internationally is the icing on the cake. That can never, and must never, become the norm.”
Does Atakan Karazor return for Stuttgart?
Against St. Pauli in Matchday 4 of the Bundesliga, Hoeneß opted to start Chema Andrés alongside Angelo Stiller in midfield ahead of club captain Atakan Karazor.
When asked whether or not Kazaror would return to the starting line-up, Hoeneß remained tight-lipped: “I won’t comment on the starting line-up. We’ll see tomorrow.”
GGFN | Daniel Pinder
