Matarazzo: "We need to support each other"

Pellegrino Matarazzo on…

…the match on Sunday: "We need to focus on all phases of the game. Whether it's in defence or in attack. We need to support each other. We want to show our strengths offensively. That worked very well in the first 30 minutes against Kyiv. Everything needs to work on Sunday."

…VfB Stuttgart: "It's always an exciting encounter. It will be special. Stuttgart are currently in very good form; they play very good football. It says a lot about the work done by Sebastian Hoeneß and Fabian Wohlgemuth. It's always difficult to play in Stuttgart. It will be a challenge for us."

…Oliver Baumann: "Oli is extremely consistent and has been playing at a very high level for years. Oli is a complete goalkeeper. He's top with the ball at his feet and in one-on-ones, plus he saves a lot of penalties: Oli is a super goalkeeper."

…the lessons from the Dynamo game: "We're back in matchday mode straightaway. It goes very quick. We want to step back on the gas straightaway. There were of course phases that I didn't like. For example, at the end of the first half. Our positioning must be clear. Offensively, we want to get into the box more frequently. There's always room for improvement."

…the negative streak in the Bundesliga: "I have the feeling that we're on the right track. We saw against Kyiv and also against Bremen in the first 20 minutes that we're capable of winning. We want to keep showing that."

…the possible line-up: "Tim Drexler is an option. Anton Stach and Kevin Akpoguma are performing very well. They could be the back three on Sunday. We also have a few players who are ready to come off the bench."

The personnel situation

Dennis Geiger remains sidelined with back problems. Pavel Kadeřábek has suffered torn muscle fibres and is not available either. Stanley Nsoki will miss out through suspension. Otherwise, nothing has changed compared to the Dynamo match.

The opposition's form

VfB Stuttgart have picked up eight points from five matchdays and are currently mid-table in eighth position. Coach Sebastian Hoeneß and his team drew 1-1 against Sparta Prague in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Head-to-head record

This will be the 30th meeting between the clubs. VfB Stuttgart have previously won 12 times, while TSG have managed just eight victories (plus nine draws). There were two away triumphs last season (3-2 for Hoffenheim, 3-0 for Stuttgart).

Match facts and statistics »