stuttgart’s Hoeneß Faces Tough choices in Europa League Squad Selection
Stuttgart, Germany – VfB Stuttgart head coach Sebastian Hoeneß has announced his 24-man squad for teh upcoming Europa League campaign, and the selections have resulted in some notable omissions. The club submitted the roster to UEFA on Wednesday, sparking discussion about the difficult decisions facing the manager with a heavily populated squad.
Hoeneß was required to name a squad adhering to UEFA’s regulations regarding locally-trained players. As a result,the coach nominated a trio from the VfB Stuttgart U21 team: Thomas Kastanaras (22),Alexander Groiß (27),and captain Dominik Nothnagel (30).
However, this meant several established players were left out of the European competition. Among those not included are injured fan favorite Silas (26), recent €7 million signing Ameen Al-Dakhil (23), and Barcelona loanee Noah Darvich (18). Also missing from the squad are Nikolas Nartey (25), Pascal Stenzel (29), Leonidas Stergiou (23), Yannik Keitel (25), Justin Diehl (20), and Stefan Drljaca (26).
“The regulations made things difficult once again,” Hoeneß admitted. ”We have a very large squad. I didn’t have easy conversations. I would have liked to have everyone with me, but there’s no point in dwelling on it.”
Hoeneß has challenged the excluded players to maintain a positive attitude and fight for their place in other competitions. “We expect the guys to make the best of the situation.There are still two other competitions where they can get playing time and put themselves in a good position.”
The coach pointed to the example of Nick woltemade (23), who, despite being left off the Champions League roster last season, went on to play a crucial role in Stuttgart’s DFB-Pokal victory and Europa League qualification with a strong run of form.
This serves as a reminder that even exclusion from a squad doesn’t necessarily signal the end of a player’s contribution to the team’s success. The coming weeks will be a test of character for those left disappointed, as they strive to prove their worth and earn a return to the team.
key takeaways:
Europa League Squad Announced: VfB Stuttgart has revealed its 24-man squad for the europa League.
Difficult Choices: Coach Sebastian Hoeneß faced tough decisions due to squad size and UEFA regulations.
Notable Omissions: Key players like Silas, Al-Dakhil, and Darvich were left out.
Challenge to Players: Hoeneß urged excluded players to compete for opportunities in other competitions.
* Woltemade Example: The story of Nick Woltemade highlights the potential for players to impact the team even after initial setbacks.
