Professionals, 23. February 2024
Record against Köln
Overall: 105 games. 38 wins, 26 draws, 41 defeats. 170:162 goal difference.
In the Bundesliga: 95 games. 33 wins, 26 draws, 36 defeats. 156:147 goal difference.
Looking back
VfB have won three and drawn one of their past four league meetings with Köln, keeping three clean sheets in the process. Deniz Undav scored his first Bundesliga goals in September’s 2-0 victory at Köln, who have not beaten VfB away from home in the top flight since August 2015 (1-3).
What the coaches say
Sebastian Hoeneß: “We can generate power at home. The team that starts will be capable of winning the match – but only if we deliver a good performance and take the task 100% seriously. Köln will do everything to stay in the league. We have respect for this game and have been warned.”
Timo Schultz: “VfB play wonderful football and work extremely hard without the ball. We have to be compact defensively while also carving out opportunities in the final third. We’ve played well since the winter break but lacked courage against Bremen, which we have to take responsibility for. That has to change against Stuttgart.”
Suspensions
Pascal Stenzel is banned after being sent off for a second bookable offence in Saturday’s 2-1 victory at Darmstadt 98. Maximilian Mittelstädt is currently on four yellow cards this season – another booking will result in a one-match suspension.
As for the visitors, Timo Hübers, Dejan Ljubicic and Denis Huseinbasic are all on four yellow cards.
Spectators
The MHPArena is sold out.
Personnel
Dan-Axel Zagadou, Niko Nartey, Alexander Nübel and Deniz Undav will play no part in Saturday’s game, while Waldemar Anton (back problems), Fabian Bredlow (stomach) und Maximilian Mittelstädt (adductor) are doubts.
However, Anthony Rouault and Silas are both fit and available after sitting out the win in Darmstadt last weekend.