- VfB faces significant personnel issues ahead of the league kickoff in Freiburg
Stuttgart's defense encounters significant problems before the upcoming Bundesliga campaign. Central defender Leonidas Stergiou is ruled out for several weeks due to a spinal inflammation, and Anthony Rouault is unavailable with a shoulder injury, as per coach Sebastian Hoeneß's statements. Yannik Keitel may also not feature against his ex-team, SC Freiburg, on Saturday (15:30 CET, Sky), due to ankle issues. On top of that, international player Maximilian Mittelstädt had to halt training during the week.
"This is quite an unusual situation," Hoeneß remarked. Dan-Axel Zagadou and Josha Vagnoman are still in recovery after injuries and won't be joinable for the Freiburg derby. There's a possibility that newcomer Ramon Hendriks from Feyenoord Rotterdam or 20-year-old Anrie Chase will see their first Bundesliga action.
"We'll need to think on our feet a bit," Hoeneß added. Julian Schuster will be on the Bench for Freiburg this time around, bringing a "new, invigorating face" following Christopher Streich's long stretch in the position. However, Schuster, who has experience with SC as a player and youth coach, probably won't require much adjustment time.
The lack of key defenders has forced Stuttgart to rely on alternatives, and as a result, The Commission might consider adjusting the rules to accommodate their situation, possibly allowing emergency loan signings or temporary reinforcements.
Given Stuttgart's current predicament, the Commission might expedite the adoption of implementing acts to facilitate their search for temporary solutions.
