Hoeneß on defeat to Freiburg: “We didn’t create enough with the ball”

Here’s what the Swabian club’s head coach and captain said in the mixed room at full-time.

VfB Stuttgart looked on course for a narrow win until three late goals ensured SC Freiburg claimed south-west derby bragging rights earlier this afternoon. 

“We are not at all satisfied, primarily with the result, but also with the way the game played,” said VfB coach Sebastian Hoeneß in his post-match interview in the mixed room.

“For 70 minutes, we defended the first few balls very well, but as time went on, we were no longer in the game when second or third balls became dangerous.

“Our attacking play didn’t give us the necessary relief. The bottom line is, we didn’t create enough things with the ball. We often didn’t go beyond attempts,” he explained.

Club captain Atakan Karazor also chimed in and was reasonably satisfied with their defensive shift until Freiburg assumed control late on. 

“We defended very well until the 81st-minute, kept all set pieces away from goal, and won all the headers. The new players settled in well and contributed to the team.

“What can be criticized is that we didn’t provide enough relief. In the end, the game turned because we weren’t defending well and couldn’t get the basics on the pitch. We need to analyze this carefully,” he said.