Hoeneß embraces “the most beautiful games” as Stuttgart prepare for Bayern showdown

Sebastian Hoeneß says his side are relishing the challenge of facing Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich this weekend.

Stuttgart welcome Bayern Munich to Neckarstadion on Saturday afternoon, with the hosts looking to cause an upset against their southern neighbours. 

VfB head coach Sebastian Hoeneß has described the upcoming clash as one of the “most beautiful games” that football has to offer. 

Bayern arrive in Swabia on Saturday afternoon in relentless form, having taken 34 of a possible 36 points in the Bundesliga, while scoring more and conceding fewer than any other side in the league. 

Stuttgart, though, are undeterred, with Hoeneß saying: “We’re fit, we’re at home, and we’re playing Bayern Munich – you won’t feel any travel fatigue from the last four away matches anymore.”

“We’re measuring ourselves against one of the best teams in the world. These are the most beautiful games,” said Hoeneß in his Friday press conference. 

The two sides met just four months ago in the Franz Beckenbauer Supercup, where Stuttgart narrowly lost 2-1 on home soil. Hoeneß believes that the loss offers valuable clues for Saturday.

“Bayern’s style hasn’t fundamentally changed since then,” he explained. “We’ve looked at a few aspects from that game that can give us insights for this one.”

Kompany’s Bayern have fallen behind in each of their last three league matches, yet still managed to pick up seven points out of nine against Union Berlin, Freiburg and St. Pauli. Hoeneß warned against interpreting those early setbacks as signs of vulnerability. 

“I don’t see a weakness phase from Bayern. Vincent Kompany is doing an outstanding job. The team is having a season of superlatives so far.”

As for how Stuttgart intend to approach the Südderby, Hoeneß emphasised bravery and a proactive mentality. 

“We’ve often looked good against Bayern in recent games – this time we want to take another step. We want to put them under pressure, we want to be brave, and we want to look for our chances.”

On the team news front, Bayern loanee Alexander Nübel will return after sitting out for Fabian Bredlow against Bochum in midweek, while Tiago Tomas is fit again after recent muscular issues. 

Luca Jaquez, Ermedin Demirovic, and Dan-Axel Zagadou will all make their returns in the new year, alongside Yannik Keitel and Justin Diehl.