The 1-0 UEFA Europa League defeat against Fenerbahce in Istanbul is now a thing of the past, as VfB Stuttgart shift their focus to domestic matters in the Bundesliga.
VfB host 1. FSV Mainz 05 at the MHP Arena on Sunday (kick-off 17:30 CET) for the first of two games in quick succession against the same opposition, with a DFB Cup second-round tie in Mainz coming up on Wednesday.
“We’re looking forward to both games against Mainz but we’re focusing fully on the one on Sunday,” said head coach Sebastian Hoeneß.
Home fortress
“We want to continue our good run at home,” added the 43-year-old, referring to the fact his side has won the last four consecutive Bundesliga matches at the MHP Arena without conceding a goal. If the boys from Cannstatt can make it five in a row, it would equal a club record set in 2006/07.
“We know we’ll have to push ourselves to the limit again on Sunday and we want to play with hunger, especially in front of the opposition’s goal, and produce a good performance.
“We know all about Mainz and their strengths,” Hoeneß continued. “Their current league position doesn’t reflect the team’s quality.”
With just one win and a draw from their first seven Bundesliga assignments in 2025/26, Mainz lie 16th in the table. Most of their matches have been very tight, however, with just the defeats against Dortmund (2-0) and Hamburg (4-0) decided by more than one goal.
Leweling and Jeltsch available
There is positive news on the personnel front. Jamie Leweling and Finn Jeltsch both came off the bench to feature in Istanbul, meaning they are available for selection on Sunday. Ermedin Demirovic, Stefan Drljaca and Justin Diehl all miss out with injury though.
