VfB held their final training session at the club’s headquarters on Mercedesstraße on Wednesday morning before setting off for Basel. The proximity helps the team to stay in their familiar rhythm as much as possible, and also offers lots of VfB fans the chance to support their side at St. Jakob-Park on Thursday evening. Kick-off against FC Basel is at 21:00 CEST. The Cannstatt boys are looking to build on their victorious start in the Europa League against Celta Vigo last Thursday (2-1).
‘Put ourselves in a good position’
“We have a big chance to put ourselves in a really good position,” said Sebastian Hoeneß in his press conference, making his expectations clear: “The key will be to produce another really good performance in this away game.” Irrespective of the 11 players who start, the 43-year-old is calling on his team to show the required willingness once again.
The head coach doesn’t want to exaggerate the topic of team selection during the current period. “It’s a balancing act,” he said. “We’re in a period where we’re playing lots of matches and have full confidence in the squad. It’s an issue we often have to deal with, finding that ideal mix of rotation and picking the best possible starting eleven.” And choosing a team who can deal with the sizzling atmosphere at Basel’s St. Jakob-Park.
Jeltsch and Undav absent
Reigning Swiss league and cup winners Basel are doubtless formidable at home, but VfB have proven often enough that they can also impose their game on foreign soil. “It will also help us that a lot of our fans will be in the stadium, which we’re looking forward to and gives us an extra push,” added Hoeneß.
Fortunately, the head coach doesn’t have any fresh injury concerns. Of the players registered for the Europa League, only Finn Jeltsch (adductor) and Deniz Undav (knee ligament) are unavailable through injury.
