Stuttgart vs. Borussia Dortmund preview: Anton and Guirassy face former club

VfB Stuttgart 

Despite losing 3-1 to Real Madrid in the Champions League in midweek, Stuttgart can be proud of their performance against last season's Champions League winners. 

The Swabians can also take confidence from the fact that they won all three of their games against Dortmund last season, including one in the DFB-Pokal. 

The big question is whether Stuttgart can do it again, now that key players Waldemar Anton and Serhou Guirassy have left for Dortmund. 

“You don’t often get to play both UEFA Champions League finalists one after the other. We want to put in a good performance against Dortmund. They’re a good team who really strengthened over the summer. We’re up for the challenge” said Stuttgart head coach Sebastian Hoeneß.

Team news 

Diehl (shoulder), Stergiou (knee), Nartey (fitness), Dakhil (muscle issue) are all out for Stuttgart. 

Borussia Dortmund

Fresh from a spirited 3-0 away win over Club Brugge in midweek, Borussia Dortmund travel to Stuttgart on Sunday.

The Black and Yellows signed two of Stuttgart's most important players over the summer in Waldemar Anton and Serhou Guirassy, and it will be the first time they will face their former teammates since then. 

"Both of them know how to deal with that. I'm happy that both are with us, and they will be ready. They will try to produce their performance and to factor everything else out," said BVB coach Nuri Sahin on the duo's return to Stuttgart. 

After recovering from a knee injury, Guirassy made his Borussia Dortmund debut in last week's 4-2 win over Heidenheim, and he scored his first goal for BVB from the penalty spot against Brugge.  

With Nuri Sahin having replaced Edin Terzic as head coach, the Black and Yellows will be determined to avenge the three defeats they suffered at the hands of Stuttgart last season. 

Team News

Reyna (groin) is the only absentee for Borussia Dortmund.