Sebastian Hoeneß described the week’s training in two words. “Positive and good,” said the VfB head coach in his press conference on Friday, adding that the team have worked in a very focused way. It’s clear that the two recent wins against RB Leipzig in the DFB Cup (3-1) and at Bochum in the Bundesliga (4-0) have given the Cannstatt boys renewed energy and conviction. The run they’ve started should now be continued against Werder Bremen at the MHP Arena from 15:30 CEST on Sunday.
“Bremen are strong away from home and are more experienced than us,” said Hoeneß. “They have really impressive and steady patterns in their play.” Furthermore, Werder are also back to winning ways, having won three of their last four Bundesliga games.
Trio available again
“With our positive mood as the basis, we have to be ready to go to our limit and remain focused, even in difficult periods of the game,” continued Hoeneß: “It remains our task to be a constant goal threat and to attack with purpose.”
Hoeneß welcomes back Maximilian Mittelstädt and Angelo Stiller following one-match bans for yellow card accumulation. Deniz Undav, who missed out at Bochum because of a stomach bug, is also available again.
Doubt over El Bilal
El Bilal is doubtful at this moment in time. The forward suffered a reaction in his foot in training this week, meaning a late decision will be made with regards to his involvement.
Ameen Al-Dakhil is still suspended against Bremen, while Josha Vagnoman, Dan-Axel Zagadou, Anrie Chase, Justin Diehl, Nikolas Nartey and Luca Raimund are all still injured or working their way back to full fitness.