VfB’s midweek battle with TSG Hoffenheim came at a cost, as Bruno Labbadia revealed in an injury update on Thursday. “We suffered personnel losses during Tuesday’s intensive game,” said the Stuttgart boss. “Tiago Tomás has picked up an abdominal muscle tear and Dan-Axel Zagadou (recovering from ankle ligament tear), Borna Sosa (lack of fitness), Laurin Ulrich (recovering from flu) and Tanguy Coulibaly (flu) are also out. The bruising to Silas’ shin is worse than expected – he’s also out of the question.” Konstantinos Mavropanos (head wound) and Hiroki Ito (calf problems) are doubts, while Naouirou Ahamada is suspended after being sent off for a second bookable offence on Tuesday evening.
VfB begin the second half of the campaign against reigning DFB Cup holders RB Leipzig, a team whose footballing qualities, effective pressing, threat from set plays and overall improvement this season Labbadia is well aware of. “Leipzig have not lost any of their last 15 competitive games – for me, they’re title challengers,” he said. “We’re going to field a team capable of going toe to toe with them. It’ll be a really good challenge.”
Leipzig forward Timo Werner was handed his professional debut during Labbadia’s first spell as VfB head coach in 2013. “Timo is a major goal threat, he’s good at getting in behind the defence and a good finisher. We’ll have to stand up to that,” the 56-year-old continued before adding with a smile: “He doesn’t necessarily have to have his best game against us on Friday.”