VfB Stuttgart's 2-1 win over FC Brentford at the end of the training camp in the Allgäu gave indications of a possible starting line-up for the upcoming Bundesliga season. But there is still some uncertainty in terms of personnel - especially in midfield.
Friedrichshafen (dpa/lsw) - After the difficult last season with the almost relegation, VfB Stuttgart continues to gain self-confidence in preparation for the coming season. At the end of the one-week training camp in the Allgäu, the Bundesliga soccer team won 2-1 (0-1) against FC Brentford from the English Premier League. Thanks to goals from striker Thomas Kastanaras (72nd minute) and Tanguy Coulibaly, who was also a substitute, with a hand penalty (90.2), VfB achieved their fourth win in their fourth friendly on Saturday in Friedrichshafen on Lake Constance.
"A positive experience at the end of the training camp is always good," said VfB coach Pellegrino Matarazzo. "We worked very well this week, you could see that today. The lads got their reward." In addition, the 44-year-old should have gained further insights into the possible starting line-up - even if things are still in flux at the moment.
On the one hand, the departure of the Austrian international striker Sasa Kalajdzic, who was in the starting XI against Brentford, as well as the injured left-back Borna Sosa is still considered likely. On the other hand, Matarazzo must above all see how he will set up his midfield in the future.
The problem: Atakan Karazor, who was one of the top performers last season, is still in custody after his arrest on the holiday island of Ibiza. Also, it doesn't seem certain that Orel Mangala will stay in Stuttgart. There are rumors surrounding him about a possible move to Nottingham Forest.
Against Brentford, Matarazzo relied on a three-man midfield with captain Wataru Endo, 20-year-old Naouirou Ahamada and Chris Führich. Mangala came on as a substitute in the 63rd minute - just like Enzo Millot and before that Nikolas Nartey (46th).
For sports director Sven Mislintat, it was particularly important that the players in the training camp in Weiler-Simmerberg "packed a lot of athletic skills" and, unlike last year, there were no injuries. "It's very important for us so that we can lay a good foundation," he emphasized almost two weeks before the start of the competitive game on July 29 in the DFB Cup at third division Dynamo Dresden. On August 7th, VfB will start the Bundesliga season at home against RB Leipzig. The team will play their last friendly on July 23 in Stuttgart against Spanish club FC Valencia.
