PREVIEW | VfB Stuttgart vs Celta Vigo: Sebastian Hoeneß ready for tough battle

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After lifting the DFB Pokal in the 2024/25 season, VfB Stuttgart qualified for the Europa League which is the first time they’ve played in back-to-back European competitions since 2012-2014.

Their participation in the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League – despite their elimination in the league phase – certainly won’t be a forgotten memory, but a cherished one as Sebastian Hoeneß leads VfB into a new era, one in which they can challenge for European football. While Stuttgart’s head coach is relishing another season in Europe, it’s one that he and his team won’t take for granted.

Speaking in Wednesday’s press conference, Hoeneß said: “Being able to play internationally is the icing on the cake. That can never, and must never, become the norm.” And there’s few better places in football than playing under the floodlights at the Neckarstadion on a European night.

On Thursday night, they host La Liga side Celta Vigo, which certainly won’t be an easy task. The two faced each other in pre-season with Stuttgart 2-1 victors. Hoeneß expects another tough game, with their previous meeting a feisty one despite being a friendly.

“Why should it be any different this time? Back then, it was just a friendly. Tomorrow it’s much more important,” said Hoeneß, who also remained tight-lipped on his selection.

Atakan Karazor missed Stuttgart’s 2-0 win against St. Pauli on Matchday 4 of the Bundesliga, and it could be Chema Andrés who starts alongside Angelo Stiller again after impressing. Hoeneß also had time to praise Ermedin Demirovic – who scored one goal and provided an assist at the weekend – saying: “His performance was top-notch.”

VfB Stuttgart vs Celta Vigo Predicted Line-Ups

Stuttgart: Nübel – Assignon, Jeltsch, Chabot, Mittelstädt – Chema, Stiller – Tomás, El Khannouss, Leweling – Demirović

Celta Vigo: Radu – Rodríguez, Dominguez, Alonso – Rueda, Moriba, Sotelo, Mingueza – Aspas (c), Iglesias, Zaragoza

GGFN | Daniel Pinder