VfB Stuttgart is under pressure in Sinsheim. If they want to play in Europe next year, they must win against relegation-threatened Hoffenheim.
To be honest, my concerns about VfB are growing. Three defeats in the last four Bundesliga matches can no longer be sugarcoated. It’s not even about the fact that they lost, but rather how they lost. In Mainz, they were physically inferior, and Gladbach and Wolfsburg were able to stifle our offense almost completely with simple tactics. Even the win in Dortmund, which was important for morale, was rather flattering when you look at the match statistics.
I don’t want to downplay the problems by blaming individual players for the performance, because if four offensive players are currently struggling with form, isn’t that a tactical issue? Unfortunately, I haven’t found any reliable data on this, but without Woltemade’s dribbling skills, we have almost no penetration through the center of the field. The fact that, despite playing possession-based football, we have the highest crossing rate may be a symptom of these current issues. You often see the same pattern: we try to combine through the middle, the ball ends up on the wing, and then Mittelstädt, Vagnoman, Führich, or Leweling put in a cross. These either go out of play or straight into the goalkeeper’s arms, and I don’t get the feeling that this makes us particularly dangerous in front of goal.
Now comes our match in Hoffenheim. Last year, we traveled to Sinsheim full of excitement. We turned the game into a home match and deservedly won 3–0. This year, it looks like another home-like atmosphere for us, but the circumstances are different. Where there was euphoria, now there is a certain disillusionment and concerns that we might not qualify for international competition again. Hoffenheim, on the other hand, is exactly where they were last year—fighting relegation, with empty stands, and everyone hoping they finally go down. I don’t know anyone who would truly miss them, and to be honest, I’d rather see FC St. Pauli, Heidenheim, Bochum, and Kiel in the Bundesliga instead of this soulless club.
We must beat Hoffenheim. On one hand, to push them closer to the second division, and on the other, because we have Bayern, Kiel, and Frankfurt coming up next. Aside from the Bundesliga newcomers from northern Germany, these are the top three teams. I doubt we will pick up many points there, especially if we slip up against Hoffenheim and the team becomes even more unsettled. As you might have noticed, I’ve lost my sense of ease, but I hope the team proves me wrong and finds its way back to its old strength.
Squad Situation
Al-Dakhil is still in recovery and could return to training soon, but he will likely miss the Hoffenheim match. The same goes for El Bilal Touré. The loanee is finally back in training and will soon wear the VfB jersey again.
Possible Starting XI
I think Bruun Larsen will be preferred over Leweling and Millot. Up front, I see Demirović or Undav alongside Woltemade. Stergiou will return to the starting lineup in place of Vagnoman.
Statistics
Out of 29 matches, VfB has won eleven and lost eight. Four of those eleven wins came in away games in Sinsheim. Hoffenheim currently sits in 15th place and is four to six points above the relegation playoff spot, depending on how the sports court rules on the Union vs. Bochum match. Hoffenheim is still waiting for their first home win of the calendar year—their last home victory was on November 23rd against RB Leipzig.
VfB players need to watch out for Kramarić. The Croatian international is Hoffenheim’s top scorer and assist provider with seven goals. His strike partner, Adam Hložek, should not be underestimated either—he has scored six goals and provided two assists so far. Defensively, Tom Bischof will be a major obstacle. The future Bayern player is one of the best duelists in the league, leads in successful tackles, and is also an attacking threat with five goal contributions.
Conclusion
VfB must win because tough weeks lie ahead. Hoffenheim shouldn’t be a major problem, but the current form curve is worrying. Nevertheless, I remain optimistic and believe we will win this match.
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