VfB are looking forward to their shortest Bundesliga away trip of the season, not least because it will enable their fans to make the journey in numbers. When VfB take on TSG Hoffenheim on Saturday 12 September at 15:30 CEST, they know that they will have the backing of their loyal supporters in their thousands. The SNP Arena is a mere 84 kilometres away from the MHP Arena as the crow flies, and the match also promises lots of excitement.
Stuttgart finished fourth in the league last season, one place above their opponents. As such, both clubs are in Europe this time around, with VfB qualifying for the UEFA Champions League and Hoffenheim the UEFA Europa League. And while TSG may have lost their opening two Bundesliga matches by a 3-2 scoreline, away to Köln and at home to Dortmund, no-one is in any doubt as to their qualities, least of all Sebastian Hoeneß.
Homecoming for Hoeneß, Stiller and Prömel
“The results from Hoffenheim’s first two matches certainly don’t reflect their performances to date,” the VfB head coach said. “Both times, you could clearly see TSG’s attacking potential and the intensity they bring out on the park.” As such, VfB will have to draw their opponents’ sting while trying to play to their own strengths.
“We will need to be on it right from kick-off on Saturday and put in our best possible performance if we are going to get anything out of what is a very tough away trip,” said Hoeneß, who was on the opposite bench from 2020 to 2022 as head coach of TSG. Two of his current players will also be returning to their former places of work: Angelo Stiller swapped Hoffenheim for Cannstatt in summer 2023, with Grischa Prömel following in his footsteps this summer.
VfB will be looking to channel the support from the fans making the short journey on Saturday in their quest for valuable Bundesliga points.