ersus TSG bereits in dieser aktuellen Trainer-Konstellation, allerdings vor einem ganz anderen Hintergrund: Stuttgart wollte den Abstieg verhindern und Hoffenheim war nach einer Seuchensaison froh, am 34. Spieltag quasi gerettet zu sein.
Diesmal ist das Duell in Stuttgart quasi ein Spitzenspiel. Der VfB ist nach sieben Siegen aus acht Spielen sensationell Zweiter, die TSG zählt mit 15 Punkten zum erweiterten Kreis der Topteams. Und Matarazzo wunderte sich, dass sein Engagement beim VfB noch gar nicht so lange her ist – es endete vor gut einem Jahr. «Ein Jahr Fußball-Leben ist sehr, sehr lang. Im Fußball passiert extrem viel. Es gab immer wieder Kontakt. Man freut sich, die anderen Gesichter zu sehen», sagte der Coach am Donnerstag.
Nicht dabei beim Topspiel sind die Topstürmer. Stuttgarts Serhou Guirassy, aktuell der Mann der Stunde in der Bundesliga, muss wegen «einer kleinen Muskelverletzung im linken hinteren Oberschenkel» ein paar Wochen pausieren. «Serhou hat eine Weltklasse-Form gehabt, das ist klar. So einen Spieler eins-zu-eins zu ersetzen, ist einfach nicht möglich. Trotzdem ist Stuttgart eine Mannschaft, die als Einheit funktioniert», sagte Matarazzo.
Auch Hoffenheims Andrej Kramaric hat Oberschenkelprobleme und wird erneut fehlen. Seine Rückkehr ist allerdings absehbar, der WM-Dritte soll laut Matarazzo nächste Woche wieder ins Mannschaftstraining integriert werden. Die TSG wirkt in der Offensive auch ohne Kramaric breit und flexibel aufgestellt. Wout Weghorst, Ihlas Bebou und Marius Bülter zählen zum Offensivpersonal, werden in der bisherigen Spielzeit allerdings von Youngster Maximilian Beier in den Schatten gestellt.
Beier (21) hat bereits sechs Tore erzielt und wurde zuletzt gar als Kandidat für Bundestrainer Julian Nagelsmann gehandelt. Die TSG verlängerte unter der Woche seinen Vertrag bis Juni 2027. «Maxi ist ein super Junge und ein super Fußballer, der immer noch Potenzial nach oben hat. Er ist wichtiger Teil unseres Spiels», lobte Matarazzo. Sportchef Alexander Rosen nannte Beier einen «der Shooting-Stars des deutschen Fußballs».
Hoffenheim hat kurioserweise alle vier Auswärtsspiele in dieser Saison gewonnen, während es im eigenen Stadion bereits drei Niederlagen setzte. «Auswärts oder zuhause, da mache ich mir null Gedanken darüber. Wir spüren Freude, Stärke zu zeigen. Es gibt nichts Besseres, als gegen Top-Gegner zu spielen», stellte Matarazzo klar. Am Mittwoch (18.00 Uhr) wartet im DFB-Pokal gleich der nächste: Borussia Dortmund.Bundesliga: VfB Stuttgart and TSG Hoffenheim Set to Face Each Other in a Highly Anticipated Match
Stuttgart – Pellegrino Matarazzo and Sebastian Hoeneß are no strangers to the upcoming Baden-Württemberg duel between VfB Stuttgart and TSG Hoffenheim on Saturday. Matarazzo previously coached Stuttgart, while Hoeneß was in charge of Hoffenheim - but now the roles have reversed. In May of this year, the two teams faced each other with the same coaching setup, but under completely different circumstances. Stuttgart was fighting to avoid relegation, while Hoffenheim was relieved to have secured their safety after a difficult season.
This time around, the duel in Stuttgart is considered a top match. VfB Stuttgart is currently in second place after an impressive run of seven wins out of eight games, while TSG Hoffenheim is part of the top teams with 15 points. Matarazzo expressed his surprise at how quickly his time at VfB Stuttgart has passed, as it ended just over a year ago. “A year in football is very, very long. A lot happens in football. There has always been contact. It’s nice to see familiar faces,” said the coach on Thursday.
However, both teams will be missing their top strikers for the match. Stuttgart’s Serhou Guirassy, who has been in outstanding form in the Bundesliga, will be sidelined for a few weeks due to a minor muscle injury in his left thigh. Matarazzo acknowledged that replacing Guirassy, who has been in world-class form, will not be easy, but he emphasized that Stuttgart functions as a cohesive unit. On the other hand, Hoffenheim’s Andrej Kramaric is also dealing with thigh problems and will continue to be absent. However, his return is expected soon, as Matarazzo stated that Kramaric will rejoin team training next week. Despite Kramaric’s absence, Hoffenheim has shown depth and flexibility in their attacking options. Wout Weghorst, Ihlas Bebou, and Marius Bülter have all made contributions, but they have been overshadowed by young talent Maximilian Beier, who has scored six goals this season and has even been considered a potential candidate for national team coach Julian Nagelsmann. Hoffenheim extended Beier’s contract until June 2027, with Matarazzo praising him as an important part of their game. Sporting director Alexander Rosen described Beier as one of the rising stars of German football.
Interestingly, Hoffenheim has won all four away games this season, while suffering three defeats at home. However, Matarazzo is not concerned about the venue and is focused on showing strength and joy in playing against top opponents. The team’s next challenge will be against Borussia Dortmund in the DFB-Pokal on Wednesday
How has the absence of top strikers Serhou Guirassy and Andrej Kramaric affected Stuttgart and Hoffenheim’s offensive performance?
Group of teams with 15 points. Matarazzo finds it surprising that his time with VfB Stuttgart was not too long ago, as it ended just over a year ago. “A year in football is very, very long. A lot happens in football. There were always contacts. It’s nice to see the familiar faces,” the coach said on Thursday.
The top strikers will not be present in the top match. Stuttgart’s Serhou Guirassy, currently the standout player in the Bundesliga, will be sidelined for a few weeks due to a minor muscle injury in his left thigh. “Serhou has been in world-class form, that’s clear. It’s simply not possible to replace a player like him one-to-one. However, Stuttgart is a team that functions as a unit,” Matarazzo said.
Hoffenheim’s Andrej Kramaric is also out with thigh problems. However, his return is imminent, and according to Matarazzo, he should be integrated back into the team training next week. Even without Kramaric, Hoffenheim appears to have a wide and flexible offensive lineup. Wout Weghorst, Ihlas Bebou, and Marius Bülter are all part of the attacking personnel, but they have been overshadowed by youngster Maximilian Beier in the current season.
Beier, 21, has already scored six goals and was even considered a candidate for national team coach Julian Nagelsmann. During the week, TSG extended his contract until June 2027. ”Maxi is a great guy and a great footballer who still has potential to improve. He is an important part of our game,” praised Matarazzo. Sporting director Alexander Rosen referred to Beier as ”one of the shooting stars of German football.”
Curiously, Hoffenheim has won all four away games this season, while they have already suffered three defeats at home. “Whether away or at home, I don’t worry about that. We feel joy and strength in showing what we can do. There’s nothing better than playing against top opponents,” Matarazzo clarified. On Wednesday, they will face another top opponent in the DFB-Pokal: Borussia Dortmund.
I can’t wait to see which team will come out on top in this highly anticipated Bundesliga showdown! 🏆⚽#StuttgartvsHoffenheim
As a fan of both teams, I’m torn on who to cheer for in this exciting match! It’s sure to be a nail-biter. #StuttgartvsHoffenheim