After a comfortable and deserved 3-0 win for VfB in the reverse fixture in Wolfsburg, the two teams lock horns again at the MHP Arena at 15:30 CET on Sunday 1 March. Stuttgart are hoping to extend a run of five Bundesliga home matches without defeat, but the head coach is wary of the opposition.
Hoeneß sees opponents with great quality
“For me, VfL Wolfsburg certainly don’t belong in the lower regions of the table,” Sebastian Hoeneß said of the Wolves, who are fighting for survival on 20 points, and added: “We’re coming up against a team with a lot of quality, who have the potential to cause big problems for any team in the Bundesliga.”
His players will therefore need the right energy level and activeness on the pitch, as well as utilising the home advantage. “With the fans behind us, we want to dominate and express ourselves from the off, and play with a lot of intensity to work the game in our favour,” continued the 43-year-old, who will take charge of his 100th VfB match in the Bundesliga on Sunday. Two other statistics stand out ahead of the encounter.
VfB always dangerous in closing stages
The Cannstatt boys have gained 14 points from losing positions in the current Bundesliga campaign, a figure only bettered by Bayern Munich and Freiburg (both 15). Similarly, VfB have scored 15 goals in the final 15 minutes of games, which only Bayern (25) can top. The determination to overcome difficulties together and give everything until the end is a good basis again for Bundesliga Matchday 24.
