Sebastian Hoeneß: Stuttgart to take on Atlético in the Champions League

Sebastian Hoeneß, head coach of VfB Stuttgart, said their third-round Champions League clash against Atlético Madrid is being treated as one of the biggest matches in the club’s history. Speaking in a press conference, the German described the Spanish side as a team that “has marked European football” and placed Diego Pablo Simeone among the best, pointing to a style with “fire and passion” that hasn’t faded with time.

Hoeneß also addressed Thomas Müller’s description of Atlético as “the troublemakers of Europe”. The Stuttgart coach insisted he knows what they will face: “That’s why we know what’s coming.” He believes the game will require matching Atlético’s usual intensity while keeping “a calm head” and not falling into provocations.

On Stuttgart’s domestic form, Hoeneß said the weekend loss to Hamburg came down to “efficiency”, adding that controlling a match should lead to winning—or at least taking a point—so they need to be more effective. He also confirmed the return to the squad of left-back Maximilian Mittelstädt after a cut on his heel, saying he has only just returned to training with the group and is in line for the squad.