Hoeneß: Champions League question as "absolute confirmation"
Even after a good third of the season in the Bundesliga, coach Sebastian Hoeneß of third-placed VfB Stuttgart does not want to adjust his targets. In view of narrowly avoiding relegation in each of the past two seasons, the club would be "well advised not to be too brash", warned the 41-year-old ahead of the 13th matchday: "I think that's how we got to where we are now." He sees the fact that people are asking about qualification for the Champions League or Europa League as "absolute confirmation that things are going in the right direction".
Ahead of the home game against Werder Bremen on Saturday (18:30/Sky), the Swabians are only behind league leaders Bayer Leverkusen and record champions FC Bayern Munich on 27 points. A difficult DFB Cup tie against Borussia Dortmund and games against Leverkusen, Munich and Augsburg in the Bundesliga follow before the winter break.
"We want a carefree season - we're not there yet," said Hoeneß. "As soon as I have the feeling that we have achieved a goal that we have set ourselves, we can talk about further goals. I also know that it's important to show new perspectives in order to possibly get one percentage point more. But I don't have that feeling yet."
The premier class is not being discussed within the team either. "I think the lads have a good feel for the situation. I think there are players who have experienced other times and know that it would be out of place to rush ahead too early."
VfB Stuttgart's current position in the Bundesliga, with only league leaders Bayer Leverkusen and record champions FC Bayern Munich ahead, has sparked conversations about Champions League or Europa League qualification. Despite this, coach Sebastian Hoeneß emphasizes that they are not yet having discussions about the premier class within their team.
In the Bundesliga, third-placed VfB Stuttgart is closely following the footsteps of Bundesliga powerhouses like Bayer Leverkusen and FC Bayern Munich, with their excellent performance in the Bundesliga being reminiscent of their past successes in the Bundesliga's highest tier, the Bundesliga.
Source: www.dpa.com
