An insight into VfB Stuttgart by our intern Emilia Beutel

Photo: https://www.bild.de/

After many unsuccessful games, VFB Stuttgart parts ways with their coach Bruno Labbadia, because they had different visions for the future and decided that it was better for both. So, they hired the new coach Sebastian Hoeneß. He had a good start; he won his first six games with the team and 4 were draw. Hoeneß saved them from relegation last season and wants to start the next season more successfully. Hoeneß also has a player past himself, he played once at Hertha BSC II.

To prepare for a good season, Hoeneß and the coaching staff planned a training camp because VFB wanted to prepare tactics and build team chemistry for the upcoming season. The location chosen for the camp was a renowned football training facility in the Allgäu.

However, this had to be cancelled after two days, because of the bad weather conditions. Heavy and persistent rainfall led to waterlogging of the pitches, making it impossible for the team to continue their training sessions safely and effectively. After hours of careful consideration and consultations with coaching staff and players, the decision was made to terminate the training camp early. The team had to return to Stuttgart, to continue their preparations on their home ground. But before they got finally home, they had the chance to train on the pitches of FC Bayern, thanks to the good connections of coach Hoeneß with FC Bayern.

As a part of their preseason preparations, VFB Stuttgart must face various friendly matches against domestic and international opponents. These matches offer the coach the perfect opportunity to see the strengths of the team and the areas that need improvement.

VFB started the pre-season friendlies with three consecutive wins. The first one was 3-0 against Hohenlohe XI, followed by 4-0 against fifth division side SSV Reutlingen and 2-1 against Dutch Vitesse Arnhem.

During last week’s friendly matches, they lost 5-1 against Borussia Mönchengladbach and won 2-0 against TSV 1860 Munich. Next Saturday, the final friendly is set against Sheffield United in Sheffield, England.

Photo: https://www.stuttgarter-nachrichten.de/

But the VFB has not only prepared for the new season with intensive training, but also with new players. The club´s management has been focused on strengthening key positions to improve the team´s chances of success in various competitions. So, they got the newcomers Alexander Nübel as a keeper from the FC Bayern, Jamie Lewelig from FC Union Berlin, and Jeong Woo-Yeong from the FC Freiburg. The newcomers bring a mix of experience and youthful freshness, promising to add depth and dynamism to the squad.

But they also lost their talents Alou Kuol to Central Coast Mariners in Australia, Tiago Tomas goes to VfL Wolfsburg, Matej Maglica goes to SV Darmstadt 98, Antonis Aidonis to Aris Saloniki, Florian Müller goes back to SC Freiburg and Wahid Faghir to SV Elversberg.

The Season will start on the 19th of August with their first home match against Bochum. Many fans are very excited for this match because they are looking forward to a good season, especially because Hoeneß saved them from relegation last season and there are promising newcomers. The last few years, the caravan from Canstatt was organised for the first matchday, with the Stuttgart fans walking together from Canstatt to the stadium to cheer on and honour the team, so it can be assumed that this will also be the case this year, but it has not been announced yet.

The first away trip of the season takes VFB head coach Sebastian Hoeneß´s team to Leipzig the following weekend. The duel against the Baden-Württemberg rivals takes place on the 1st of September at VFB when they welcome SC Freiburg.

VFB Stuttgart will have an interesting season ahead of them with many ups and downs but with the support of their loyal fans and intensive training they can maintain their position in the league, but it will still be a tough battle for the VFB this season, which they will master as best they can.

Photo: https://www.sueddeutsche.de/