VfB Stuttgart have an extra special reason to be excited about the start of the 2026/27 Bundesliga campaign. On Friday 28 August (kick-off 20:30 CEST), Sebastian Hoeneß’s side travel to FC Bayern München in the German top-flight’s official season opener.
Conviction and focus
“We want to continue on our successful journey, but at the same time we mustn’t forget where we’ve come from and what sets us apart,” Hoeneß said. “We’re still going to need a clear approach, plenty of energy and a great deal of determination in our play.”
Head coach Sebastian Hoeneß:
Everything has to click against Bayern.
Of course, that not only applies to the Cannstatt boys’ “most difficult away match” of the season. “Everything has to click against Bayern,” the 44-year-old continued. “Bayern are already back in outstanding form, as they showed in their 2-1 Supercup victory in Dortmund.”
So how do VfB plan on dealing with the Bundesliga champions? According to Hoeneß, his players will need to play with conviction and remain fully focused for the entire 90 minutes.
Jamie Leweling returns
Hoeneß announced on Wednesday that Deniz Undav will captain VfB this season. The 30-year-old frontman succeeds Atakan Karazor, who has worn the armband for the past two seasons.
On the personnel front, Jamie Leweling has returned to first-team training and will travel to Munich with the rest of the squad. A decision on Chris Führich’s availability will be made nearer the time, according to the VfB head coach. Ramon Hendriks is also back in training, but the trip to Bayern comes too soon for Luca Jaquez, Lorenz Assignon, Leo Sauer, Dennis Seimen, Dan-Axel Zagadou, Nikolas Nartey, Justin Diehl and Jeremy Arévalo.
