This week’s training began with a public session on Tuesday, and things have ramped up with intensive units since then. After plenty of mid-week matches of late, VfB are finally able to have a full week of uninterrupted training this time around. “We’ve used the opportunity well and had some really intensive training sessions to prepare for what lies ahead,” Hoeneß said, with the head coach well aware that one of the toughest assignments is coming this weekend. On Saturday 7 March (15:30 CET), VfB head to 1. FSV Mainz 05 with the aim of racking up a third win this season against these particular opponents.
Mainz back on track
The lads from Cannstatt have already defeated Mainz 2-1 in the Bundesliga and 2-0 in the DFB Cup, but Hoeneß is taking nothing for granted. “It’ll be a totally different Mainz side from the one we faced last autumn. Urs Fischer has managed to breathe new life into them in a really short space of time. He’s brought fresh ideas and put his stamp on the team very clearly.” The new coach took over in early December 2025 and Mainz have avoided defeat in nine of their 11 Bundesliga matches since then. This run of form has seen them climb out of the relegation zone and up to 14th in the table.
“It’s never been easy in Mainz, and this time it’s definitely going to be a tougher task with them being in such good form”, Hoeneß added. On the plus side, however, the head now has almost all of his attackers not only fit and available but also hitting their stride. “The boys are showing good energy and that opens up a lot of different options. There’s plenty of healthy competition and that’s exactly what you need when you’re playing as many matches as we are at the moment.”
Chabot back in contention
Defender Jeff Chabot is in line for a place in the squad after recovering from back problems, while Dan-Axel Zagadou has been more limited in his training. Josha Vagnoman is definitely out due to muscle problems, while Lazar Jovanovic is still returning to fitness after injury.
