New winter signing Genki Haraguchi is about to make his first starting eleven for VfB Stuttgart in the home game against Werder Bremen. Coach Bruno Labbadia praises the Japanese in the highest tones.
Stuttgart (dpa / lsw) - Genki Haraguchi radiates on the soccer field what his coach Bruno Labbadia embodies perfectly in every press conference: calm and sovereignty. Like his new coach, the Japanese winter newcomer to VfB Stuttgart has many years of experience in business and in the Bundesliga. Exactly these components are at Table-15. also in the home game on Sunday (3.30 p.m. / DAZN) against SV Werder Bremen.
In the last-minute win in the round of 16 of the DFB Cup at second division SC Paderborn (2-1), the former professional from 1. FC Union Berlin was substituted on last Tuesday at the beginning of the second half. Haraguchi immediately gave the Stuttgarters structure, control and calm in the offensive game. The 31-year-old seems to complement each other well with his compatriot Wataru Endo. "Genki is a bit more offensive, more like eights and tens," said Labbadia on Friday.
The new VfB pro has a good chance of being in the starting XI against Bremen. "I'm just getting to know him but I like his mentality," said Labbadia, who has a soft spot for Japanese players. "He's the fifth Japanese player I've worked with at VfB. These players are well trained and have a good work ethic."
The new Stuttgart sports director Fabian Wohlgemuth was also enthusiastic after Haraguchi's successful debut. "He has a high intensity in his game. He is very stable in his performances. His character also distinguishes him. He is down-to-earth and hard-working," said the 43-year-old to the news portal "BW24".
Off the pitch, Haraguchi, VfB captain Endo and defender Hiroki Ito are not the loudest. "But they give hints on the pitch and Genki has skills that are good for us," said coach Labbadia, who also had to do without offensive players Tiago Tomás and Silas Katompa Mvumpa in the sold-out home game against Bremen. The Croatian World Cup bronze medalist Borna Sosa and Dan-Axel Zagadou are options again after they had to sit out due to injury for a long time.
In addition to Haraguchi, Stuttgart's second winter signing Gil Dias can also hope for a starting eleven. The Portuguese scored as a joker in the cup and could be called up on offense along with the in-form Serhou Guirassy and Chris Führich.
VfB's focus during the training week was primarily on correcting individual mistakes on the defensive. In the Bundesliga, Stuttgart has not remained without a goal at home since April 4, 2021. Opponent at that time was: Werder Bremen. "We have to put in a top performance," said Labbadia, who warned in particular of Werder attackers Marvin Ducksch and Niclas Füllkrug. "The two are doing well. But Werder isn't just made up of filling jugs and Ducksch. They're a well-established team."
Haraguchi and VfB have not yet settled in. However, he has shown that the 74-time national player does not need a lot of time to get used to the game. He steered the game in Paderborn and exuded the calm that was perhaps crucial and urgently needed in the relegation battle.
