Stuttgart in the Champions League: “More would have been possible”

71 percent ball possession, 680 passes, 25 shots and 10-0 corners – after a game of wasted opportunities, VfB Stuttgart struggled with its offensive performance. “We had enough chances to score one more goal than our opponents. Unfortunately, we weren’t rewarded in the end,” said coach Sebastian Hoeneß after the 1-1 (1-1) draw against Sparta Prague.

In their first home appearance in the Champions League in over 14 years, the Swabians developed “extreme dominance” in the second half, according to sports director Fabian Wohlgemuth – but without reward. “We have to learn to find solutions against extremely deep opponents,” he emphasized. According to Hoeneß, we have to “play our line-up in the box even better and make the right decisions in the final third”. Captain Atakan Karazor was also disappointed. “We have to be more forceful at the front,” he complained. They have shown “what we can tear down. But I expect us, including myself, to get better going forward.”

The first opportunity to do this will be in the league against Hoffenheim on Sunday (7.30 p.m./Dazn). In the premier class, the away game at Juventus Turin awaits on October 22nd. After the 1:3 at the start against defending champions Real Madrid, VfB is already under a bit of pressure. Enzo Millot gave the runners-up the lead against Prague in the 7th minute. However, Kaan Kairinen equalized in the 32nd minute in front of 60,000 spectators with a remarkable free kick.

“It feels like there was more to it. That’s why you feel a little bit disappointed,” said Wohlgemuth. Nevertheless, it was “something special – Champions League at home,” emphasized Maximilian Mittelstädt: “We would have liked to improve on that, but we still have a few home games where we can make up for it.” Against Bergamo, Young Boys Bern and Paris However, VfB have to make significantly more use of their chances and dominance at Saint-Germain.