Stuttgart bosses reflect on the competition between Andres and Karazor

VfB Stuttgart ended crisis talk with an emphatic win on Friday against St. Pauli. Sebastian Hoeneß could stick with one of his changes for the next few games.

Chema Andres makes his starting debut for Stuttgart on Friday’s win against St. Pauli. The Real Madrid loanee was one of the best players on the night, which could make it difficult for Atakan Karazor to win back his place right away.

Stuttgart’s captain was a late substitute in their second home win of the season. Following the game, Sebastian Hoeneß and sporting director Fabian Wohlgemuth were asked questions about the two players.

“Ata (Karazor) has behaved professionally,” said the coach. “He received the decision very well. His behavior was as you might expect. That was a top reaction.”

Wohlgemuth also stressed Karazor’s stance at the club in an interview with Bild. “Ata has been one of the essential pacemakers in the sporting upward development of the team in the last two years. There is no fundamental doubt about his qualities.

“But he must try to fight his way back into the starting eleven during the training week. This was a decision that came about because of the evaluation of the last matches.”

Stuttgart will kick off their European campaign on Thursday against Celta Vigo, before traveling to Köln for their next Bundesliga fixture.