Stuttgart's Mittelstädt demands "top performance" against Galatasaray

Having made a good start to their Champions League campaign, Maximilian Mittelstädt knows VfB Stuttgart need to turn up against Galatasaray tomorrow.

“We need a top performance here; they will demand everything from us," the left-sided defender explained during Stuttgart's press conference this afternoon.

"We have to be wide awake from the start and can't afford any mistakes. We need to get back to the level we showed in the games against Leverkusen and Atletico Madrid.

"We have a certain mentality and sharpness in our game from the beginning, which will then make it difficult for any opponent.

“When you travel to Istanbul and have to play Galatasaray in a Champions League match, you're not exactly the top favorite. But I believe we're good enough to hold our own,” he added.

On Galatasaray themselves, who currently sit top of the Turkish Süper Lig but 23rd overall in the Champions League, Mittelstädt knows they are not to be underestimated.

“We have prepared for Galatasaray and know that they are very strong defensively and have exceptional strikers. Victor Osimhen, who is probably one of the best strikers in the world.

"It will likely be impossible to defend against him and Galatasaray's entire attacking unit for 90 minutes. We have to be prepared for situations where we will suffer.

"We have to defend together as a team. Part of the game is having a bit of luck here and there. But we know the quality we have in this squad and what is possible when we all stick together.

“We showed that recently against Leverkusen. This victory has given us even more confidence to deliver another good performance tomorrow,” Mittelstädt said in his summary.