VfB Stuttgart are back in action this Sunday as they take on 1. FC Heidenheim at the MHP Arena on Bundesliga Matchday 6 (kick-off 15:30 CEST). The game comes hot on the heels of the 2-0 UEFA Europa League defeat at FC Basel on Thursday evening, meaning the boys from Cannstatt are determined to get back to winning ways.
Milestone for Hoeneß
“We’re looking forward to Sunday and – despite the short amount of recovery time – we want to produce a good performance and go into the international break with a positive feeling,” said Sebastian Hoeneß, who will oversee his 150th Bundesliga game as head coach. “We want to muster all our strength and give it everything we’ve got.”
Opponents Heidenheim are a team who do just that. Just 72 kilometres separate the cities, but it is not only their proximity that gives this game an edge: VfB have only won one of the four Bundesliga meetings between the sides, and are eager to improve that record.
“You always have to be alert and prepared against Heidenheim,” Hoeneß continued. “Our last few games have shown that, as did Heidenheim’s 2-1 win over Augsburg last weekend.” That was their first Bundesliga victory in 2025/26, lifting them to 17th place in the standings with three points on the board.
Undav and Jeltsch absent
Deniz Undav remains unavailable after tearing ligaments in his knee, while Finn Jeltsch is also sidelined due to a minor adductor muscle complaint. “We hope that both of them will be back after the international break,” said Hoeneß.