VfB Stuttgart vs Bayern Munich - Niko Kovac makes case for the defence



Posted Friday, August 31, 2018 by PA

VfB Stuttgart vs Bayern Munich - Niko Kovac makes case for the defence

Bayern Munich boss Niko Kovac is happy with his defensive options ahead of a Bundesliga trip to Stuttgart.

Bayern, who opened their season with a 3-1 win over Hoffenheim last weekend, have Jerome Boateng, Mats Hummels and Niklas Sule at their disposal, and Kovac believes that is the strongest trio in Europe.

He told a press conference: “Jerome is a world-class centre-back, it’s just that Jerome stays physically healthy and then I’m convinced he will help Bayern and the national team.

“As well as Mats Hummels and Niklas Sule I do not know if there’s a club in Europe that has three such centre-backs, so it’s important to be able to rotate.

“There are three world-class players, so it does not matter whom I let play with whom, everyone has a very high level of footballing and tactics, there will be regular rotations, everyone has a claim to play.”

Stuttgart have World Cup winner Benjamin Pavard at their disposal and expectations are high at the club this season.

Kovac added: “Pavard is a great player, if you play seven games at a World Cup so well… this is a world-class footballer, a young footballer who will get even better, many clubs are watching him.

“It’s clear that the pressure is on the rise in Stuttgart at the moment due to increased expectations, which does not make it any easier for us, we’ll have to stretch ourselves, but it will not be easy.”

Stuttgart trounced Bayern 4-1 in their last meeting in May and winger Erik Thommy is hoping for more of the same.

He told the club’s official website: “We know it will be extremely hard work, but we want to do everything we can to hold our own and throw ourselves into every challenge.

“As we saw the last time we played away in Munich, you always have a chance and we want to take that.

“We want to get the fans behind us at home and take the points – regardless as to who the opponents are.

“Against Bayern, we will need to be just as clinical in front of goal as we were during the 4-1 in Munich.”



Attention: Third parties may advertise their products and/or services on our website.7M does not warrant the accuracy, adequacy or completeness of their contents.
Your dealings with such third parties are solely between you and such third parties and we shall not be liable in any way for any loss or damage of any sort incurred by you.