Professionals, 28. December 2024
“At the start of April we had to go to Dortmund. It was an ‘extreme’ game for many reasons. We went into it with personnel issues, Angelo Stiller had to play in defence. It was a very hot day and we won 1-0 – a special moment because it was an extremely good team performance by us and we secured a place in a European competition on that day. We wanted to show in the final stretch of the season that we’re an awesome team. We succeeded in that in the following game with a 3-0 win over Frankfurt – and then came the match at Bremen.”
Frustration turned to positive energy
“We lost 2-1. After the match our plane had a defect. Instead of flying, we rode on the bus to Stuttgart for several hours. In hindsight, I have to say that the match at Bremen and the subsequent bus journey were key moments in the run-in. On the way home, a positive energy emerged from a negative result. In a lot of conversations among ourselves, we drew motivation from the situation and looked forward positively. That carried us through the rest of the season and it’s characterised us again this season that we can keep coming back from setbacks. In the next game against Leverkusen, where we conceded the equaliser in the last second, we proved how determined we were to play in the Champions League.”
Januar: 5:2-Heimsieg gegen Leipzig
Januar: 5:2-Heimsieg gegen Leipzig
Februar: Heimserie gegen Mainz ausgebaut
Februar: Heimserie gegen Mainz ausgebaut
März: Die 1000. Ausgabe „stadion aktuell“ erscheint
März: Die 1000. Ausgabe „stadion aktuell“ erscheint
April: Die neue Haupttribüne der MHP Arena, samt Business-Bereichen und der Sport-, Medien- sowie Funktionsbereiche wird offiziell in Betrieb genommen
April: Die neue Haupttribüne der MHP Arena, samt Business-Bereichen und der Sport-, Medien- sowie Funktionsbereiche wird offiziell in Betrieb genommen
Mai: Erfolgreiches Saisonfinale
Mai: Erfolgreiches Saisonfinale
Juni: VfB-Spieler bei der Heim-EM
Juni: VfB-Spieler bei der Heim-EM
Juli: VfB auf Japan-Tour
Juli: VfB auf Japan-Tour
August: Niederlage im DFL-Supercup
August: Niederlage im DFL-Supercup
September: Der VfB zurück auf internationaler Bühne in der UEFA Champions League
September: Der VfB zurück auf internationaler Bühne in der UEFA Champions League
Oktober: Der VfB siegt bei Juventus mit 1:0
Oktober: Der VfB siegt bei Juventus mit 1:0
November: Laternenumzug führt in die MHP Arena
November: Laternenumzug führt in die MHP Arena
Dezember: Weihnachtskonzert in der MHP Arena
Dezember: Weihnachtskonzert in der MHP Arena
A perfect ending and a lasting moment
“There was huge delight after the following home game against Bayern. For me it was the first win over Munich in a VfB shirt. In that respect it was also a special moment, where we said to ourselves that we had to do everything to finish second. We succeeded in doing so in the last match of the season at our stadium against Mönchengladbach. It was perhaps the easiest match of the season. We dominated from start to finish, it was a perfect finish to the campaign. Then in the summer break, a dream came true for me: I wanted to extend my contract here at VfB, the club I love. I always wanted to send a signal to my team-mates. I’m very happy that the extension was finalised. The setting of the announcement, at the premiere of our season documentary in the big cinema hall, made me a bit nervous. My family, my loved ones were there. It’s certainly a highlight of my career so far, which will stay with me.
“It makes me very proud that I’ve been able to lead the team onto the pitch as captain this season. I try to do justice to my role, take responsibility and lead by example. I think I’m growing into the role all the time, although I know there will constantly be new challenges to overcome.”
2024 – a special year for VfB
VfB have experienced a lot over the last 12 months. Before the turn of the year, Maximilian Mittelstädt (already published), Deniz Undav (29 December) and head coach Sebastian Hoeneß (30 December) will also be recounting extraordinary moments from their personal perspectives.