Köln vs. Stuttgart preview: Can the Billy Goats shock VfB?
Stuttgart make the trip up north to Köln in hopes of claiming another win in what’s become the surprise story to start the Bundesliga season.
Köln
It looks like this could very well be a long campaign for the Billy Goats, who've acquired only one point thus far. They’ve scored a measly four goals and similarly to the second half of last season, are missing several key players due to injury for the foreseeable future.
Davie Selke’s aerial prowess and hold-up play will be vital on Matchday 6 if Köln want any chance against an in-form side. It won’t be easy for supporters to see Serhou Guirassy and Chris Führich on the pitch this weekend, as both were once on Köln’s books.
Köln held their annual meeting this week and Steffen Baumgart commented, “We had a warm welcome at the members' meeting. Despite that, it is clear that we're in the situation we are in. We can only come out of it together, that is clear for everyone. The lads are working well, but not well enough.”
Team News
The lengthy injury list includes Jan Thielmann, Florian Dietz, Mark Uth, Noah Katterbach, and Mathias Olesen. Baumgart hinted that Eric Martel will be ready for Saturday’s contest.
Stuttgart
Sebastian Hoeneß has Stuttgart supporters dreaming of big things with four wins out of their first five games. Guirassy has looked other-worldly with ten goals already and the signing of Angelo Stiller from Hoffenheim looks like some very savvy business.
Stuttgart can’t stop scoring and have another promising chance for more offensive fireworks against struggling Köln. With Silas questionable, Brighton loanee Deniz Undav could receive his first start in an unfamiliar position out wide.
Hoeneß stated, “Judging by their recent performances, Köln should be in a much better position. I’m expecting them to make life difficult for us with all the intensity and power they can muster. Köln are a force in front of a sell-out home crowd and we need to be very well prepared.”
Team News
Silas and Dan-Axel Zagadou are questionable, while Nikolas Nartey and Wooyeong Jeong aren’t included in the squad. It’s likely that Josha Vagnoman will be ready to return after the next international break.