Champions League relief: Stuttgart host Atlético as Hoeneß embraces the occasion
Stuttgart have won both Champions League games but lost four of six in the Bundesliga. On Tuesday (9 p.m. local time), LaLiga runners-up Atlético Madrid visit the MHP Arena.
Graphic: TERRA WORLD NEWS (own graphic based on the sources listed)
VfB Stuttgart enter the third round of the Champions League league phase with two faces: coach Sebastian Hoeneß’s team have won both games in Europe’s elite competition but sit only 13th in the Bundesliga after four defeats in six matches. On Saturday, Stuttgart lost 1-0 at Hamburg to an 88th-minute goal.
“We are able to create chances again and again, but we have to show a different level of efficiency,” Hoeneß said. Ahead of Tuesday’s 9 p.m. match against Atlético Madrid, he does not want the mood spoiled: “It will certainly be great for all of us. For VfB, for the region – and we won’t let anyone take that away from us.” Striker Deniz Undav admitted to Sky after the Hamburg loss that the team is currently “not a top side.”
Atlético are second in LaLiga and, after a 2-1 loss at Liverpool, beat Manchester United 2-0 in their last Champions League game. Sporting director Fabian Wohlgemuth said of the Spaniards: “It is a team that plays in a very manly and very mature way.” The match is shown on Amazon Prime Video in Germany.