Head coach Sebastian Hoeneß insists VfB Stuttgart have shifted their focus back to Bundesliga action following a midweek trip to Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League, Soccernet.ng reports.
Last year’s Bundesliga runners-up suffered a 3-1 defeat in Spain but they will want to avoid back-to-back loss against Borussia Dortmund.
Stuttgart will need to step up for their crucial home match against Dortmund on Sunday, with head coach Sebastian Hoeneß emphasising the need to focus on their own game.
“You don’t often get to play both UEFA Champions League finalists one after the other,” Hoeneß told the club’s official website.
“We want to put in a good performance against Dortmund. They’re a good team who really strengthened over the summer. We’re up for the challenge,” Hoeneß said, reflecting on the tough schedule ahead.
The match will see two familiar faces return to Stuttgart in Borussia Dortmund colours.
Striker Serhou Guirassy and defender Waldemar Anton, both pivotal in Stuttgart’s remarkable rise from relegation candidates to Bundesliga runners-up last season, now play for Dortmund.
The transfers were part of Dortmund’s significant summer recruitment efforts, alongside the appointment of new head coach Nuri Sahin.
“You can tell that he’s given the team a couple of new ideas,” Hoeneß remarked on Dortmund’s changes under Sahin.
Despite the changes, Hoeneß remains focused on Stuttgart’s preparations. “We gave the team yesterday off, then we trained today. The lads look good and fresh. On Sunday we’ve got a great match coming up against BVB, and that’s the only thing that we’re focusing on.”
Stuttgart have had a mixed start to the season, winning just one of their first three league matches.
Tuesday’s 3-1 defeat to Real Madrid in the Champions League highlighted the challenge of balancing domestic and European commitments.
Nevertheless, summer signing Ermedin Demirovic has stepped up, scoring three goals in three games as he looks to fill the void left by Guirassy’s departure.
With Guirassy and Anton set to return to their former club on Sunday, Hoeneß’s side will aim to bounce back and deliver a strong performance in front of their home fans.