VfB head coach Sebastian Hoeneß opened his pre-match press conference with a positive injury update. Only two members of his first-team squad are unavailable for the home game against Hamburger SV this weekend – and both were as expected: suspended captain Atakan Karazor and Lazar Jovanovic, who is still working his way back to fitness following injury. Everyone else is available for selection.
Hoeneß and his coaching staff have had a full week of training to prepare for HSV, who visit the MHP Arena on Sunday 12 April (kick-off 17:30 CEST).
Performance in training key
“At this stage, it’s even more important to look at training performances to determine who is pushing for a place in the squad or the starting XI,” Hoeneß said ahead of Hamburg’s first trip to Stuttgart since the 2022/23 Bundesliga relegation play-offs, which VfB won 6-1 on aggregate (3-0 at home, 3-1 away). “We have fond memories of that tie, particularly of the way we handled the pressure at the time,” added the 43-year-old.
Needless to say, HSV are an entirely different proposition these days. Merlin Polzin’s team are 12th in the Bundesliga with 31 points so far – four more than fellow promoted side 1. FC Köln – and managed to beat VfB 2-1 in the corresponding fixture back in November. “We haven’t forgotten that match,” Hoeneß continued. “We want to use this home game to return to winning ways. Our aim is to be more proactive in attack and create clear-cut chances.”
Chema to replace Karazor
Hoeneß also wants his side to remain solid at the back, control the game and dominate their opponents in their half of the pitch. “We need to be well organised and make sure we keep players back behind the ball at all times,” he said, before confirming that Chema will take the place of Karazor in midfield. The rest of the line-up remains to be seen – there’s certainly no shortage of options.
