After Thursday’s 4-0 UEFA Europa League victory at Go Ahead Eagles, Sebastian Hoeneß’s side turn their attention back to the Bundesliga when they travel to Hamburger SV on Sunday afternoon (kick-off 15:30 CET).
“We know how special the atmosphere is when HSV play at home, so we’re looking forward to Sunday’s game,” said Hoeneß, who has demanded his players approach the contest with the right attitude. “We want to carry the momentum from our previous games into the match against HSV and, three days after playing in the Europa League, show the intensity we need to play our game on the pitch.”
The two teams are currently on very different trajectories. Hamburg are winless in their last five Bundesliga games, while Stuttgart are on a four-match unbeaten run in all competitions. There is no guarantee that Sunday’s game will pan out according to the form book, however, with HSV producing some eye-catching performances on home soil in particular. “They drew 1-1 at home against Borussia Dortmund – that alone shows that we’re facing a big challenge,” added Hoeneß, whose side will be backed by at least 5,850 travelling fans at the Volksparkstadion.
Tiago Tomás not available yet
VfB remain without a number of players due to injury. Tiago Tomás, Ermedin Demirovic, Yannik Keitel, Dan-Axel Zagadou and Justin Diehl are all sidelined, while Noah Darvich will continue to gain match practice with the U21s in the 3. Liga.
