Stuttgart’s Sebastian Hoeneß recalls pivotal 2023 relegation matches against Hamburg ahead of weekend Bundesliga encounter
Stuttgart’s Sebastian Hoeneß recalls pivotal 2023 relegation matches against Hamburg ahead of weekend Bundesliga encounter VfB Stuttgart head coach Sebastian Hoeneß took an opportunity to stroll down memory lane when conducting his pre-match press conference ahead of this weekend’s Bundesliga fixture against Hamburg. Hoeneß’ Swabians are hoping to bounce back after a highly disappointing loss against top four rivals Borussia Dortmund last week. The assignment ahead actually remains a tough one.
Hamburg actually beat Stuttgart 2-1 at home in the season’s reverse fixture. Merlin Polzin’s Hamburger SV (on 31 points) are close to attaining the generally accepted “Bundesliga safety threshold” of 35 points. HSV remain the underdogs (and will be without talismanic defender Luke Vuskovic ).
Hoeneß, looking at the task ahead, reached back for special memory about facing the HSV. A true turning point in Hoeneß’ coaching career came almost precisely three years ago. Stuttgart and Hamburg’s “Destiny Match” Sebastian Hoeneß assumed the helm at Stuttgart in the spring of 2023.
The Württemberger had already cycled through two coaches – Pellegrino Matarazzo and Bruno Labbadia – during that exceedingly difficult 2022/23 Bundesliga campaign. Matarazzo had helped Stuttgart only narrowly avoid the promotion-relegation playoffs the year prior. Hoeneß couldn’t avoid the playoffs at the end of his first season in charge of the Württembürger .
Stuttgart’s opponents were none other than Hamburg, who had lost their two-legged playoff tie against Hertha BSC the year prior. HSV desperately craved a return to the Bundesliga after suffering their first ever relegation at the end of the 2017/18 season. Hoeneß men hosted the first leg of the playoffs, making a grand statement by scoring a goal less than one minute after the opening match kicked off.