Even if FC Bayern Munich seems overpowering: Most recently, VfB Stuttgart, threatened with relegation, drew twice against the record champions. That should give courage for Saturday.
Stuttgart (dpa / lsw) - When the fans of VfB Stuttgart make a pilgrimage to the stadium for the home game against FC Bayern Munich (6.30 p.m. / Sky) on Saturday, many of them will probably think of the last two duels with the record champions. Of the 2-2 in the preliminary round in Munich - but above all of the duel with Bayern that ended with the same result on the penultimate day of last season. Finally, the table-15. In the Bundesliga, it was only thanks to this point that they were able to avoid relegation and thus perhaps the possible fall into the second division.
Sometimes such experiences could help, coach Bruno Labbadia said on Thursday. "I hope it makes the players feel good." That will also be necessary, as VfB recently suffered a "brutal setback that we received at the wrong time" with the 2-1 defeat at bottom FC Schalke 04 in the relegation battle, as the 57-year-old explained. What particularly worries the former Bayern professional in addition to the desolate first half in Gelsenkirchen: The team conceded easy goals, although they didn't give their opponents too many opportunities to do so over the 90-minute period.
Against Bayern, of all places, that should now be different - even if Bayern Munich showed in the 3-0 win against Union Berlin how strong they are when it comes down to it. In addition, in view of the fact that the championship race at the top of the table has been tight again after years, the Stuttgart team can hardly expect coach Julian Nagelsmann's eleven to perform at half strength. Even if they are expecting Paris St. Germain for the second leg of the Champions League round of 16 next Wednesday. His team need a "top day", emphasized Labbadia. It is important to "defend consistently, but also show yourself in possession of the ball".
The Hessian is still puzzling before the game how he will set up his defense. On the one hand, the Croatian international Borna Sosa is missing on the left because of the fifth yellow card. An alternative would be midfielder Nikolas Nartey and other central defender Hiroki Ito. However, the Japanese suffered from back problems during the week. Dan-Axel Zagadou also used to play on the left at Borussia Dortmund. Pascal Stenzel is available again on the right after a muscle fiber tear, but due to his lack of speed he should be on the bench against the fast Bayern offensive.
For the Stuttgart team, who have only won two of their eight competitive games under Labbadia, weeks that will probably be even more challenging than last begin with the game. Because Bayern are followed by opponents like Eintracht Frankfurt, VfL Wolfsburg and Union Berlin, who, like FCB, are all fighting for places in the European Cup.
Fabian Bredlow, who has established himself as number one in goal with good performances over the past few weeks, doesn't want to think too much about it. "I think every game is difficult in the situation we are in," he said after the defeat against Schalke. And you have good memories of the Munich team with the two draws. "We've shown in the last two games that we can keep up with Bayern," said the 28-year-old. "That should be the route for Saturday."
Labbadia would be happy if his eleven quickly processed the bankruptcy at Schalke and got a point - or even three. Not only because of the difficult relegation battle. After all, as a coach he has only won twice against Bayern in 20 competitive games. But the chance of a third success is not too great at the moment, despite Bredlow's confidence.
