The head coach of German Stuttgart Sebastian Hoenes showed serious respect to Bundesliga leader and most successful local club Bayern (Munich) ahead of their clash on Saturday (October 19), despite the Bavarians' shaky form of late, BTA reported.
"Facing them is perhaps the biggest challenge you can have right now – certainly in Germany, and maybe even in Europe," Hoenes said at a press conference.
Bayern comes into this match after two straight league draws – against the champions Bayer (Leverkusen) and then against Eintracht (Frankfurt). They also suffered a defeat by Aston Villa in the Champions League, and the end of that negative run ended with the break for the national teams.
But despite that streak, Hoeness highlighted how Bayern (Munich) are gradually returning to the former power they were known for after a poor previous season in which they failed to win any trophy – for the first time in nearly 10 years. Even Stuttgart overtook them, finishing 2nd in the league, one position above the Bavarians.
"At the moment they seem to have a very strong attitude. And their coach Vincent Kompany seems to be doing his job well. Bayern have an extremely good squad, but we want to try to take our chances and play more open than last year. I say it most responsibly, because despite the players who have left us, I see my team improved", the young specialist demonstrates optimism.
But if three consecutive games without a win is a problem for Bayern, in Stuttgart the expectations are a little more modest, since they are also in the same series.
"We are visiting Munich and I am well aware of what that means. In order to survive there, we must take advantage of even the smallest chances that will open up to us", he also said.
RB Leipzig will not be looking for a short-term replacement for the injured defender David Raum.
"We believe we can make up for that within the squad we have, and we still feel we are in a good position," commented sporting director Marcel Schafer to Sky TV on Thursday, quoted by BTA.
p>
The defender and German international suffered a knee injury during the match of the "red bulls" of the First Bundesliga against Heidenheim on October 6 and then underwent surgery.
His team-mate and eventual replacement Benjamin Henrichs left the German national team staff last week due to back problems and is currently training individually. It is unclear whether Henrichs will be ready for the Bundesliga away game against Mainz 05 on Saturday.
RB Leipzig will have to wait until the start of the winter transfer window on January 1 to sign a player from another club as a replacement. For the moment, the German club can only attract a player who is a free agent.