Mittelstädt a doubt for Stuttgart’s trip to Mainz

VfB Stuttgart are sweating over the fitness of Maximilian Mittelstädt ahead of their second consecutive clash with Mainz¨.

Maximilian Mittelstädt is a doubt for VfB Stuttgart’s upcoming DFB-Pokal away clash against Mainz on Wednesday.

After picking up a knock in Stuttgart’s 1-0 Europa League defeat to Fenerbahçe last week, Mittelstädt missed Sunday’s 2-1 Bundesliga win over Mainz.

Whether he will be fit enough to feature on Wednesday is uncertain.

“Maxi Mittelstädt is still a doubt,” said Stuttgart coach Sebastian Hoeneß at Tuesday’s pre-match press conference.

“If he’s able to train, then things are looking good. But we won’t take any risks. He picked up a dead leg in Istanbul, and it’s still bothering him. Everyone else is fit.”

Hoeneß also spoke about the unusual situation of facing the same opponent twice in quick succession.

“I think they’ll play more offensively at home, especially when pressing – similar to how they did after going behind on Sunday,” he said. 

“Of course, it’s unusual to meet again so soon, and you have to think about how to pose them new problems without unsettling your own team. But I don’t think there’ll be any mind games tomorrow. Neither Bo Henriksen nor I will change our basic approach to the game.”

In any case, the Stuttgart boss expects a tough challenge.

“Playing in Mainz is always uncomfortable and difficult. It’s a cup match, and that means being ready to perform at the decisive moment. We want to build on the fact that we’ve consistently delivered in such games over the past year.”