Stuttgart seek confidence boost
Wednesday, February 15, 2006
Article summary
VfB Stuttgart welcome Middlesbrough FC to Germany with new coach Armin Veh admitting his charges are in urgent need of an injection of confidence.
Article body
Confidence lacking
The Italian's departure had little immediate impact as Stuttgart lost 2-1 at DSC Arminia Bielefeld last Saturday, but Trapattoni's replacement Armin Veh believes the visit of Middlesbrough to the Gottlieb-Daimler-Stadion presents an opportunity for the German side to earn a much-needed victory. "We really need some good results against good teams to get our self-confidence back," he said.
Injury problems
Veh favours a 4-4-2 formation in which Portuguese international Fernando Meira will be deployed in central defence rather than his normal midfield berth due to a lack of fitness, while Ludovic Magnin (nose) and Timo Hildebrand (eye) are both doubtful and German international Andreas Hinkel (thigh) is definitely out. Thomas Hitzlsperger has overcome a thigh injury, however, and Stuttgart's director of football Horst Heldt is staying positive: "Matches against English sides are always something special. We are very optimistic."
Chelsea triumph
Middlesbrough have also struggled recently but produced a stunning display to beat Premiership leaders Chelsea FC 3-0 on Saturday. The win was only the English team's second league success since 20 November and manager Steve McClaren has a number of injury problems. Gaizka Mendieta (hamstring), Mark Viduka (illness), Massimo Maccarone (broken nose), James Morrison (hip) and Lee Cattermole (hamstring) are all missing, although English Under-19 international Tony McMahon could appear for the first time since August having recovered from shoulder surgery.
'Challenging prospect'
"Chelsea was a great result for everyone," said Emanuel Pogatetz, part of a Middlesbrough defence which is yet to concede a goal in the competition. "I was pleased for the team, the fans and the manager, but we must now focus on Stuttgart. In Germany they work very hard on their defence and it will be difficult to score. Stuttgart have struggled this season, but eighth position in the league is hardly disastrous and they'll be a very challenging proposition."