There is no letting up for Sebastian Hoeneß and his VfB Stuttgart players, with only 66 hours separating the final whistle of Thursday’s 2-1 victory over Celta Vigo in the UEFA Europa League and Sunday afternoon’s Bundesliga Matchday 5 trip to 1. FC Köln (17:30 CEST).
By the time the Cannstatt boys have recovered from yesterday’s game and conducted their post-match analysis, there will be little time left to prepare for their encounter with the fourth-placed Billy Goats.
“Köln have made an impressive start”
“We’re very pleased with our Europa League opener against Celta Vigo,” Hoeneß said, adding: “It was a great evening of football and a fantastic atmosphere, but we’ve quickly turned our attention to what lies ahead – our full focus is now on the game against 1. FC Köln.”
The Billy Goats’ early-season form has only served to sharpen VfB’s focus ahead of the contest. “Köln have made an impressive start to the campaign with seven points from four games,” continued the 43-year-old. “It’s a good haul, particularly as they’ve already played three away games and only one at home.”
The VfB boss is also impressed by how Köln have carried their momentum from last season’s promotion campaign into the current season, telling the assembled media: “They’re playing with courage and confidence.”
Naturally, Hoeneß is expecting similar attributes from his own side this weekend – namely proactivity, energy and determination. VfB have shown all three in abundance of late, but they will need to do so again in Cologne if they want to end a busy week with another three points. Victory against Lukas Kwasniok’s side would certainly keep Hoeneß’s charges heading the right direction.
Luca Jaquez fit again, Finn Jeltsch sidelined
There is plenty of news on the personnel front. Luca Jaquez returned to action on Thursday evening after recovering from a broken nose, but Finn Jeltsch is set for a spell on the sidelines after suffering a minor adductor injury against Celta Vigo. Hoeneß will also be without Deniz Undav and Silas in Cologne.
