Sebastian Hoeness has launched a robust defence of captain Deniz Undav ahead of VfB Stuttgart's Champions League opener against Viking Stavanger, dismissing recent criticism of the German striker's early-season form. The Stuttgart boss rejected suggestions that Undav has underperformed, insisting the forward remains essential to the club's European campaign after helping secure their place in the continent's elite competition.
Undav faced media scrutiny following quieter displays in Stuttgart's opening Bundesliga encounters against Bayern Munich and 1. FC Koln. However, Hoeness was emphatic in his backing, stating: "Deniz Undav is a huge part of the reason we are playing in the Champions League. Everyone needs to understand that." The manager acknowledged that while his captain may not yet have reached peak form, his overall contribution extends far beyond goal-scoring tallies.
Leadership and Tactical Intelligence
Hoeness highlighted Undav's leadership qualities and sophisticated game reading as invaluable assets for Stuttgart's squad. "His play has not been as catastrophic as some of the reporting suggests," Hoeness explained. "He is our captain and someone who understands and reads the game unbelievably well." The manager's comments underline that Undav's value transcends individual statistics—a perspective many fans and critics often overlook when assessing strikers.
Fitness concerns have been minimal despite Undav managing Achilles tendon issues. Hoeness confirmed the forward trained without difficulty ahead of the midweek clash at the MHPArena, having come through Stuttgart's 4-1 victory over Koln unscathed. While other squad members including Dennis Seimen, Dan-Axel Zagadou, and Tiago Tomas remain sidelined, Undav's availability was never in doubt.
Stuttgart face a fully match-fit Viking FK side sitting 19 games into their Norwegian domestic season. Hoeness urged his team to maintain a relentless tempo and control the rhythm against their opponents, signalling his intention to make an authoritative statement in their continental debut. With Undav leading from the front, Stuttgart aim to seize this opening fixture and build momentum in the league phase before returning to domestic action.
