Hamann tears into Stuttgart after latest setback

Dietmar Hamann did not hold back in his criticism of Stuttgart after their defeat to Freiburg.

VfB Stuttgart squandered a 1–0 lead as they fell to a 3–1 defeat against SC Freiburg on Saturday.

After the game, former German international and Sky pundit Dietmar Hamann was critical of Sebastian Hoeness’ side.

“When I look at the Stuttgart players – Vagnoman, Stiller, Mittelstädt, and Leweling – they’ve all either debuted for Germany or played for them in the last 24 months,” Hamann told Sky.

“Last year, Bayern wanted to buy Führich for €30–40 million, and now he isn’t even in the starting lineup anymore. Looking at the performances of Karazor, Stiller, Mittelstädt, and Leweling, they’re simply not doing enough.”

The 52-year-old believes Stuttgart have been underperforming in the league for some time.

“You can’t use the season from two years ago, when they were runners-up, as a benchmark. Last year they were ninth, and the cup win masked a lot. They have a very good squad, probably not a cheap one either. The expectation has to be that they play better football,” he said.

Hamann suggested that speculation surrounding the futures of some of Stuttgart’s stars could be affecting the team from a mental point of view.

“I don’t know if that has affected the players, making them think they can win games even if they take one or two steps less,” Hamann said.

“But that doesn’t work in the Bundesliga. You can’t win games – unless you’re Bayern Munich – if you take one or two steps less than the opponent.”

According to Hamann, Freiburg were able to turn the game around on Saturday because they showed more will than Stuttgart.

“It was purely a matter of will, a matter of character. Freiburg wanted it more than Stuttgart. And in recent weeks and months, that has happened one too many times with Stuttgart,” he concluded.

Stuttgart have managed to take three points from their first three league games this season.