Promoted side Darmstadt are not to be underestimated, as Sebastian Hoeneß is well aware. “We know what a difficult task is in store for us on Friday night,” said the VfB boss. “Darmstadt play with a high intensity. Against Borussia Mönchengladbach (3-3) they fought their way into the game and were rewarded with three goals. You see why they got promoted automatically. The extreme man-to-man marking and high pressing means they get into challenges straight away. They fight hard for the second balls in order to be able to transition immediately.”
Hoeneß has a plan for how to overcome this test: “We want to have control, generate constant pressure and carry even more of a goal threat.”
He’s particularly excited that Stuttgart are opening Matchday 5 of the Bundesliga under the floodlights at their own stadium: “I like evening games at home very much. The floodlight atmosphere and a full house – I can’t wait!”
Deniz Undav, who made his Bundesliga debut for VfB at Mainz last weekend, is not yet in contention for the starting XI. “Deniz had trained with us for half a week when he got injured,” explained Hoeneß. “He’s been back for 10 days now. You can’t be at 100 percent yet, but he’s getting there. We saw that he had an immediate impact at Mainz and was able to affect the game. He drives us forward in attack, can score goals and also assist. They’re the things we hoped for from him.”
For Friday’s meeting with Darmstadt, Hoeneß will again have to do without Josha Vagnoman, Nikolas Nartey, Laurin Ulrich, Dennis Seinem and Wooyeong Jeong (at Asian Games).