VfB and 1. FC Kaiserslautern have already met this season, with Sebastian Hoeneß’s side earning a 4-1 friendly win on 5 September. Now the teams face off again – but in competitive action – when the boys from Cannstatt host the Bundesliga 2 outfit in the second round of the DFB Cup on Tuesday 29 October (kick-off 20:45 CET).
“We’re going up against a very gritty team who play with tenacity,” said Hoeneß at his pre-match press conference, underlining his point by stressing the Red Devils’ recent results in beating two of the current top three teams in Bundesliga 2: a 4-3 win at Fortuna Düsseldorf and a 3-0 triumph over Paderborn.
“Kaiserslautern have turned things around. We’re well aware we need to be careful of their counter-attacks. They’re really good in transition after regaining possession and they’ve scored a lot of goals that way.”
“Maximum energy”
“We want to implement our intensive playing style again and go into the game with maximum energy,” continued the coach, who also emphasised the important role the fans will play: “It’s fantastic that our stadium will be at full capacity and that we’ll have so much support in a DFB Cup second round match.”
“The cup is an attractive competition,” Hoeneß added. “First and foremost it’s about getting to the next round. That’s the task at hand.” The 42-year-old also said that VfB are eager to go as far as possible in the competition because it provides another path into European competition.
Jeff Chabot absent, Fabian Bredlow to start
VfB will have to make do without both Jeff Chabot and Yannik Keitel, while Hoeneß confirmed that Fabian Bredlow will start in goal. “In Fabian Bredlow we’ve got a really good number two. He’ll play tomorrow. Fabi trains really well. He’s there when we need him.”