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With Gonzalez and Didavi again options, Matarazzo "wouldn't mind" high-scoring shootout

By Peter Weis   @PeterVicey

VfB Stuttgart trainer Pellegrino Matarazzo believes his team must return to its own unique brand of football in order to beat Dortmund at Signal Iduna Park.

Insofar as injury updates to the squad are concerned, there remains no definitive word on whether Nicolas Gonzalez and Daniel Didavi will feature in the starting XI.

Both participated in full-team training drills this week. 
Nicolas Gonzalez.
Nicolas Gonzalez.Photo: Jeollo/VfB-exklusiv.de/CC-by-SA 3.0
Last week's fixture against Bremen served as a disappointment for those accustomed to watching newly-promoted Stuttgart deliver agile and attractive football. Head-coach Pellegrino Matarazzo acknowledged as much when speaking to the press on Friday.


"We didn't play our football in Bremen," Matarazzo told reporters, "Werder surprised us with high pressing and a different [tactical] foundation."

The 43-year-old noted that it was "easier to prepare for opponents like Bayern or Dortmund" in large part because they style-of-play and obvious qualities lent themselves to major tactical changes less often.

Matarazzo emphasized many of his regular talking points during the most recent media round. He called upon his team to "press forward with full conviction" and move the ball forward with "structured self-confidence."

Observers may hope to witness a genuinely entertaining offensive display on Saturday; given that both teams enter the match with so many dangerous attacking options. Matarazzo noted that he hoped to see his team maintain defensive discipline, but absolutely "wouldn't mind" a goal-heavy shootout.

News from the VfB Stuttgart training pitch this week saw both injured striker Nicolas Gonzalez and attacking midfielder Daniel Didavi return to full team practice drills. Matarazzo remained tight lipped about whether either would start, yet did confirm that the pair were, in principle, healthy enough to do so.


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