FM16: VFB Stuttgart - Engineering German Success

[BoxToBox]

Ahhh, you probably need the odd cup loss to keep 'em sharp and hungry.

[LPQR]

2 minutes ago, BoxToBox said:

Ahhh, you probably need the odd cup loss to keep 'em sharp and hungry.

This might be getting hard after this season  after all this is what the trophy cabinet looked like before Jenssen took over

 

And this is what it looks like now

 

[eriktous]

Fantastic achievements. Congratulations on the EL win.

[LPQR]

1 hour ago, eriktous said:

Fantastic achievements. Congratulations on the EL win.

thanks mate
 

[LPQR]

June 2022 - Total Overview

Overall career stats

                                                                                          Season 15/16 - 2.Bundesliga Champions

                                                                                          Season 16/17 - Bundesliga 3rd place, German Cup winners

                                                                                          Season 17/18 - Bundesliga Champions, German Cup winners, German Super Cup winners, CL - knocked out in first round

                                                                                          Season 18/19 - Bundesliga Champions, German Cup winners, CL - knocked out in quarter final

                                                                                          Season 19/20 - Bundesliga Champions, German Cup winners, CL - knocked out in semi final

                                                                                          Season 20/21 - Bundesliga Champions, German Cup Winners, Champions League winners 

                                                                                          Season 21/22 - Bundesliga Champions, German Cup semi-final, CL - knocked out in group stage, Europa League Winners,

                                                                                                                   Club World Championship winners, German Super Cup winners, Uefa Super Cup winners

 

Squad Overview

 

Goalkeepers

      Bernd Leno(youth 2006) - one of the veterans of the squad, Leno is a fantastic goalie that was signed by Leverkusen from the youth ranks in 2011. He went to spend 8 great years there before returning to Stuttgart in 2018 for a 13.5 Million fee. The rest, as they say, is history, Leno helped the club rack up an impressive list of honors in what is the most successful era that der Vfb have had in their history - Career Stats

             Loris Karius (youth 2007) - Karius is another talented player that came through the Vfb academy in 2007 and he only spent 2 years at the club before signing for Man City. Having enjoyed decent spells at a number of European Clubs, Loris returned to Vfb in 2021 to act as a back-up option for Leno and hardly ever put a foot wrong when called upon - Career Stats

 

Defenders

         Fabio Hesse - part of the great bunch of talented young players that joined the club in the summer of 2015, Fabio has been instrumental since he joined the Vfb from Kaiserslautern for a nominal fee of 1.4Million. Usually deployed on the right side of a three man defense, no one can argue that Hesse has established himself as a key player for this Stuttgart side - Career Stats

      Lennart Gruneberg - another player that joined der VfB as a youngster in 2015, Lennart is the force of nature of this team. Signed for 1.4 Milion from Union Berlin, he developed into a player with amazing physique. The first team left sided center back in Stuttgart's legendary 3 man defense - Career Stats

   Antonio Rudiger - a player that joined the club from Dortmund in his youth years in 2010, he spent 5 years at Stuttgart before moving on to Roma in 2015. After spells with the Italians and Real Sociedad, Rudiger was signed for a hefty 17.5 Million in 2019 and returned to the club to act as a rotation option for Stuttgart's first team defenders - Career Stats

Willi Orban - the current captain of the team, Orban has been a pillar at the heart of the club's defense since he joined from RBL for 10.7 Million in 2016. A commanding player, with resolute personality, he has inspired the two young defenders playing on either side of him mature into into Stuttgart's award-winning defense - Career Stats

        Timo Baumgartl - one of the original Stuttgart team members to have stayed in the team throughout all these years, Timo has been a great servant to the club, boasting a 10 year spell. Acting as a rotation option for his vastly superior team-mates, he has impressed enough to even earn a call-up for the National Squad. Greatly helped by Orban's tutelage in his early years, Timo is a very reliable player that does a fantastic job whenever called upon - Career Stats

 

Midfielders

Benjamin Henrichs - joined the club on loan from Leverkusen in his youth years and has impressed enough with his performances in the 2nd Bundesliga to warrant a 14Million transfer - a huge deal for a newly promoted VfB Stuttgart at the time. 7 years on, the money turned out to be more than well spent as Benji impressed season after season with his ability to spot a pass, move intelligently as well as some very handy defensive work. Integral part of the Germany NT and subject to 80Million+ offers from the likes of Barca and Madrid, Henrichs is already a club icon at 25 - Career Stats

Max Mauersberger - part of that golden generation of youngsters that joined the club in 2015, Max has developed into a key player for this Stuttgart side. What makes him so special is his combination of physique, intelligence and technical ability. Signed from Greuther Furth for 1Million in 2015, Max exploded after a successful tutoring spell with Sven Bender and became the irremovable choice at DM, mostly acting as a Deep Lying Playmaker with very combative duties - Career Stats

Serge Gnabry (youth 2010) - in 2010 Serge was a very promising youngster that came through VfB's youth ranks, however his talent didn't go unnoticed and Arsenal snapped him for 100k straight away. After 4 years spent in the English capital, mainly playing for Arsenal's youth team, Serge returns home for 11Million with another 7.5 in bonuses in 2015, as Stuttgart assemble a team of young German talent with impressive potential. He has been incredible ever since. Shortlisted for the Ballon D'or on two occasions and with numerous other awards to his name, Serge has had an outstanding career for the club so far. Perhaps the most unbelievable part is he still didn't earn a NT call up - Career Stats

Max Besuschkow (youth 2012)  - another player from the original squad that stayed in the team throughout the years, however, that might be the wrong way to word it in his case. CLUB LEGEND at 24 years of age, Max has been a key figure for Stuttgart in every season so far. European Golden Boy winner on one occasion, his development was greatly aided by two tutoring spells by Sven Bender, as he matured into an incredibly well-rounded professional that can cover pretty much any position on the pitch. The wide playmaker is a living role model for the youngsters in the club and an inspiring figure in the dressing room - Career Stats

Matthias Rapp - one of the star players of this team, Matthias is the leading figure of the class of '15.  The youngest player to ever play for the club, Rapp is truly a global superstar at this point. Whilst his technical and playmaking abilities are unmatched in Germany, he is also incredibly hard-working and has an amazing ability of being in the right place at the right time to finish off an attacking move. Signed for 1.1 Million from Greuther Furth in 2015, they're probably biting their nails right now, as he continues to improve in his development and performances year after year. After two horrific injuries in the last two seasons saw Rapp's progress somewhat halted, everybody at the VfB headquarters is hoping he can avoid further casualties next season and realize his true potential  - Career Stats

Leon Goretzka - the club's record signing, with 21 Million being paid to Schalke for his services back in 2019. A very intelligent player with great technical ability as well as physique, Leon has been recruited to act as the rotation option for Mauersberger and Henrichs. Some great performances in two years, saw him establish his status as an integral part of the Mannschaft - Career Stats

Kristian Hoxha (youth 2016) - Kristian has been Besuschkow's understudy since he was recruited in the youth ranks in 2016. Although a different type of player, he has started making his mark for the club in recent years, with performances that saw him win a European Golden Boy award this season. Very athletic player that has become comfortable enough to play with both feet through specialized training, Hoxha is an never ending source of unpredictability for the opposition as his runs alternate from cutting inside or hugging the line. Has progressed a lot in recent years and earned some well deserved caps for the country - Career Stats

Mart Ristl (youth 2011) - another player from the original Suttgart set-up, Mart has already spent 10 years at the club, aged just 25. Helped by Sven Bender's tutoring, Mart was a very important player for us in our early years, however Mauersberger and Henrichs' progress have pushed him out to more of a back-up role in recent years. Still a great option at DM and with a well rounded stat distribution, Mart is a player that, no doubt, has a special place in the supporter's hearts - Career Stats

Benjamin Gallus - a great prospect that can cover a few important positions on the pitch, Benjamin joined the club from Hertha Berlin as a 15 year old for a fee of 3.1 Million. After developing well enough to pose a serious challenge for the more established Stuttgart team-members he then went to break our hearts, deciding to leave on a free transfer to Gelsenkirchen at the end of the season. A tremendous loss for us and one of the big mistakes of my management so far. Career Stats

Sven Bender (a.k.a 'the preacher') - they don't call him that way for no reason. Sven Bender's influence in this team has been immense since he has joined us in 2015 for as little as 6Million. He has tutored and molded into 'professional personalities' a tremendous number of Stuttgart youngsters. Among them - Besuschkow, Mauersberger, Gallus, Eichinger, Ristl and a bunch of other prospects in the U19's. Whilst his appearances on the pitch have been somewhat limited, he has a special status at this club. Career Stats

 

Strikers

Johannes Eggestein - member of the class of 15, the legendary striker holds a number of Stuttgart's records, including being the all-time Stuttgart goalscoarer and Bundesliga top-scorer for 4 years in a row. Joined the club as a 17 year old in 2015, he has made the ultimate step in his development whilst being tutored by Miroslav Klose. That tutoring spell boosted his mental attributes tremendously, as well as adding a few PPM's that make Eggestein play in a particular way that is perfectly suited for our system. His performances have been nothing short of sensational since, and he has countless awards to his name already. Shortlisted for the Ballon D'Or on two occasions, that is the only missing piece in his personal trophy cabinet, and to see him win it one day would be truly special. Career Stats

Tim Eichinger - another member of the class of 15, Timmy has been the definition of a club revelation. Once touted Gnabry's successor, he has exceeded that expectation by miles. An equally fantastic option at either Striker, Shadow Striker or Right Winger and a Professional personality, Timmy has been named Germany Captain at a tender age of just 23 years. With an incredible season this year that saw him register 23 goals and 19 assists in 40 starting appearances, one can hardly contain their excitement when it comes to 'just how much better can this guy get?' Career stats

Bjorn Bundt (youth 2019) - the club's rising star, Bjorn has already an international cap marked with a debut goal to his name at the age of just 19. With many suggesting Rapp could have a worthy competitor in a couple of years time, there's no reason to doubt that assumption. A player with incredible attacking stats for his age, as well as a professional personality and a natural fitness that should help him have a much longer careeer than the average player. Bundt has been heavily involved in the first team since he came through the youth ranks, and albeit a serious injury this year, he registered 20 goals and 8 assists in 32 appearance. Career Stats

Gunther Roth - a player signed from Bayern in 2020 due to a severe lack of squad depth, he has been a good rotation option for the likes of Eggestein and Eichinger, however failed to make a particularly impressive mark on either Jenssen or the NT manager with his performances. Still young and with plenty of potential, he could be a very important player for us in the future. Career Stats

Mats Blaswich - a similar story to Roth, signed due to the team's lack of depth in the striking area, as well as the heavy demand on player fitness due to involvement in a number of competitions. Failed to make an impression so far but is still considered an important prospect for the future. Career Stats

Timo Wagner - an exciting 17 year old attacking prospect singed from the Dortmund academy last summer. Got involved in a few senior matches already and as made a very good impression. He is currently tutored by Max Besuschkow and it looks like the two are getting along well, so I'm expecting great things from this lad. Career Stats

[davehibb]

Great update and congrats on the Europa League win!

Sorry I wasn't around for the live comm but being a Liverpool fan, probably just as well I missed it.

Though, I would have still had hope, being 3-0 down at half time.

[LPQR]

June 2022 - World Cup 

 

Germany announce squad for the competition

14 Stuttgart players named in World Cup Squad

*Joshua Kimmich and Timo Werner also make the squad, both of them VfB academy products

*Shock decision to leave out Serge Gnabry leaves many wondering

 

[BoxToBox]

Great to have a good look at the full squad.

[LPQR]

25 minutes ago, davehibb said:

Great update and congrats on the Europa League win!

Sorry I wasn't around for the live comm but being a Liverpool fan, probably just as well I missed it.

Though, I would have still had hope, being 3-0 down at half time.

haha, thanks! Yeah, I'm afraid there were no Gerrards in that team and even though we played in Turkey, Bursa is no Istanbul

2 minutes ago, BoxToBox said:

Great to have a good look at the full squad.

phew... took me an hour to write
 

[LPQR]

June 2022 - World Cup

 

after two great performances in the pre-competition friendlies, Germany put in a couple of disappointing outings in the group stage. Nonetheless, two draws and a win are enough to see the team advance to the 2nd round, where they will face the United States

 

Second Round

10 men Germany see the match through, with VfB academy product, Timo Werner scoring the decisive goal

 

Quarter Final

Werner scores the winner in the last minute of extra time after Eggestein's early goal

The match saw Kristian Hoxha meet his brother, Mario, who chose to represent Albania and scored the equalising goal

 

[LPQR]

June 2022 - World Cup

 

 

 

Semi Final 

Germany captain, Tim Eichinger scores the wining goal in the 81st minute of the match to send Germany into the final!

 

Final

Matthias Rapp scores two goals to send Germany into extra time, after Eggestein's own goal blunder. The match saw Germany feature 9 Stuttgart players

Ter Stegen saves Jordon Ibe's penalty ...and... ladies and gentlemen

 

Germany win the World Cup!

 

 

Germany win World Cup with a 27 man squad out of which 14 are Stuttgart players

[BoxToBox]

So, pretty much Stuttgart are world champions....

[LPQR]

July 2022 - The Mighty Who?

A new documentary made by the Bild about the recent success of the national team likenes Germany's World Cup winning golden generation

 with the legendary Hungarian national team of the 1950's

 

Hungary 1950's                                                   Germany 2020's

 
 

The Hungarian team was built around a core of six key players: Ferenc Puskás, Sándor Kocsis, Nándor Hidegkuti, Zoltán Czibor, József Bozsik and Gyula Grosics, with Puskás considered their leader and best player. Five of these players - Puskás, Kocsis, Bozsik, Czibor and Grosics were developed by a Budapest Honved side that won the Hungarian League four times during the 1950s with the help of these players. Between 1950 and 1956, the Hungarian National team recorded 42 victories, 7 draws and just one defeat, in the 1954 World Cup final against West Germany. Under the Elo rating system they achieved the second highest rating recorded by a national side (2166 points, June 1954), behind only Germany (2200 points, 13 July 2014).

Germany's team is built around seven key players: Matthias Rapp, Johannes Eggestein, Tim Eichinger, Benjamin Henrichs, Leon Goretzka, Lennart Grunenberg and Fabio Hesse.  All 7 of them are part of a Stuttgart side that has won every major competition over the last two years as well as the Bundesliga title for 5 consecutive years. The last loss the current Germany team has recorded is in April 2020 in a match where the lost 1-0 to France. Since then, the Germans have won 23 games and drew just three times. 

While there are incredible similarities between Rapp and Puskas in their style of play, as both liked to drop deep and influence the play in midfield, Germany's main goal-scoring threat is Johannes Eggestein, who already boasts a record of 24 goals in 22 caps for his country. Furthermore, one can argue that the influence VfB Stuttgart has had in developing this golden generation is far greater than Budapest Honved's input in the making of the mighty Magyars. With 14 players in the National Team, out of which 13 developed by the club in their youth years, the mark that Stuttgart Manager, Klaas Jenssen and the VfB youth development system had on this team is undeniable. Kristian Hoxha is also establishing himself as a key member of the German first 11, after he won the award for the best young player in the competition, while Bjorn Bundt has scored 4 goals in his first 5 appearances for the national team and is developing into one of the most exciting German players around. To add to that, a young Benjamin Gallus had a sensational series of appearances at right back for the country and is touted as the next Phillip Lahm.

 

Tactical similarities

The Hungarian side of the 1950's was renowned for implementing a new style of football, something that would eventually fall under the label of Total Football, later used by the Dutch in the 1970s. The team is also generally recognized for introducing new coaching and tactical innovations, which were subsequently adopted throughout the game. They played in a very fluid system, where every player could fill in for each other and was able perform each other's duties practically everywhere around the pitch. The hallucinating movement of the players would leave oppositions perplexed and the flexibility of the team would allow them to surprise the opposition in every phase of the game. 

Jenssen's Stuttgart side are known for playing a very fluid 3-2-2-1-2 formation that sees 5 players attack the space in the opposition box with fluid off the ball movement and intelligent combination play. The similiarities are all there, however Jenssen plays a more counter-attacking version of Total Football due to the sheer physical superiority of his defenders and midfielders. Jenssen relies on the back three's physical and tactical ability to absorb pressure without pushing the defensive line too high up the pitch, and once the ball is won back, exploit the space the opposition has left behind with lightning fast, free-flowing football. When in posession, however, der VfB play in a way that could comfortably be described as total football. The front three make a lot of movement, either dropping deep, or moving out wide in order to create space for each other. Once space is there to use, players like Mauersberger, Henrichs and Rapp, who are well known for their fantastic ability to pick out a pass, have the responsibility of providing that defense-opening ball for Eichinger, Eggestein or Gnabry who will seek to exploit that space with their intelligent off-the-ball movement and lightning speed. 

Germany Manager, Torsten Lieberknecht usually plays a 4-4-2, albeit with a similar concept. His system is more structured than Jenssen's and the team has less creative freedom, however he didn't fail to exploit the pace of the attacking players and the strength of the defenders by using a wing-focuse counter-attacking system.

 

[LPQR]

2 hours ago, BoxToBox said:

So, pretty much Stuttgart are world champions....

it seems so

[davehibb]

Great posts!

I was going to ask about the German national team and whether managing them in the future might be on the horizon for Jensen, but given their form I doubt it.

I enjoyed the comparisons with the Mighty Magyars.

[LPQR]

16 hours ago, davehibb said:

 

Great posts!

I was going to ask about the German national team and whether managing them in the future might be on the horizon for Jensen, but given their form I doubt it.

I enjoyed the comparisons with the Mighty Magyars.

 

Nah, Jenssen is a one club man. After the success in recent years, however, there are rumours around the VfB camp that next season might be Jenssen's last in the game. His Phd in Arts&Culture is reaching its' final stages and Klaas is seriously considering a career in arts management

[LPQR]

August 2022 - Pre-season

 

We lose the European Super Cup on penalties to a mighty United team that stormed its way to a CL win last year

 

 

Der VfB win another DFL supercup 

 

 

 

in other news....

Timo Wagner is coming along nicely after a very successful tutoring spell with Max Besuschkow 

 

[BoxToBox]

Wagner looks the business, love a player that can excel in multiple positions.

[LPQR]

1 minute ago, BoxToBox said:

Wagner looks the business, love a player that can excel in multiple positions.

yeah, he's giving me a proper headache regarding how i should train him. False 9? Shadow striker? winger? Still haven't decided

[BoxToBox]

1 minute ago, LPQR said:

yeah, he's giving me a proper headache regarding how i should train him. False 9? Shadow striker? winger? Still haven't decided

Outside of your system, he has the bones of being a cracking CM attack, too.

[LPQR]

1 minute ago, BoxToBox said:

Outside of your system, he has the bones of being a cracking CM attack, too.

could be, although his balance, work rate and off the ball aren't really spectacular (yet :D) Probably going to train him to be comfortable playing as RM and apply the Shadow Striker individual training mode after that. This way he will rotate with Rapp and Gnabry and get more playing time. Really need to get him to improve that work rate, though, key part of how we play.

[BoxToBox]

1 minute ago, LPQR said:

could be, although his balance, work rate and off the ball aren't really spectacular (yet :D) Probably going to train him to be comfortable playing as RM and apply the Shadow Striker individual training mode after that. This way he will rotate with Rapp and Gnabry and get more playing time. Really need to get him to improve that work rate, though, key part of how we play.

Aye, he'd need a bit of training for it, but he's got a lot of what I like for the role, which for me is often just a really deep lying shadow striker, to the level that I often retrain strikers for the position.

[LPQR]

8 minutes ago, BoxToBox said:

Aye, he'd need a bit of training for it, but he's got a lot of what I like for the role, which for me is often just a really deep lying shadow striker, to the level that I often retrain strikers for the position.

interesting thought, I used a CM attack in my 4-1-4-1 in the Dresden save and it was very successful, the player I had in that position got into the Bundesliga team of the year by the end of the season. I do like players who are a bit combative in the midfield strata though, there's no point in them being deep if they can't win a ball back or if they don't do enough defensive work. 

[BoxToBox]

1 minute ago, LPQR said:

interesting thought, I used a CM attack in my 4-1-4-1 in the Dresden save and it was very successful, the player I had in that position got into the Bundesliga team of the year by the end of the season. I do like players who are a bit combative in the midfield strata though, there's no point in them being deep if they can't win a ball back or if they don't do enough defensive work. 

Of course, a reasonable bit of defensive work is nice, the most ideal player would be akin to an attacking wingback. If the player is good enough though, I'll cover for them by making the other two mids a holding and ball winner combo.

[LPQR]

meanwhile, club-trained Benjamin Gallus is smashing it at Schalke after joining them on a free transfer from Stuttgart this summer. With a 30 Million release clause in his current contract, I'm seriously considering breaking our transfer record to bring him back to the club next summer

 

[BoxToBox]

I'd do it, look at him, geez!

[LPQR]

2 hours ago, BoxToBox said:

I'd do it, look at him, geez!

amazing player, one of the players of the tournament in Germany's world cup winning squad at RB. If I do sign him, I'd be tempted to try him as the right sided CB of my three man defense rather than midfield for some reason. Great height and speed, poor jumping and heading, though... we'll see

[BoxToBox]

I could see it working, it's not like his jumping and heading are dreadful.

[WeegieFM]

I prefer to lurk these forums but must say. What an excellent save. Well done!

[LPQR]

33 minutes ago, BoxToBox said:

I could see it working, it's not like his jumping and heading are dreadful.

yep, we'll have to wait and see. hopefully he doesn't sign a new contract that gets rid of the release clause til the summer

21 minutes ago, WeegieFM said:

I prefer to lurk these forums but must say. What an excellent save. Well done!

thank you, sir! It's definitely the most enjoyable save I've ever had on FM

[LPQR]

January 2023 - Mid season update

 

A mixed first half of the season so far, that sees us reach the mid-season break second in the league, behind a very impressive Schalke side. Still going strong across all competitions, we are looking really good so far

 

 

Bundesliga

 

Champions League

We've had some crazy results in the group stages, particularly the away leg at Lyon that saw club legend Besuschkow score the 89th minute winner in a 9 goal thriller. We're off to Camp Nou next, which is the toughest draw we could have possibly had in the circumstances, but we'll take our chances

 

DFB Pokal

a couple of easy draws and great performances pave our way to a much more challenging 3rd round in March

 

 

the bad news is....

I'm honestly speechless.... he has been in top form until the injury and his attributes started rocketing up....at least he made 23 appearances so far, so with a bit of luck he can recover quick enough to get to 30 by the end of the season

 

 

 

Ballon D'or

 Ladies and gentlemen, VfB Stuttgart have an amazing 5 nominees for the award: Serge Gnabry, Leon Goretzka, Johannes Eggestein, Matthias Rapp and Tim Eichinger

the last three are said to be among the front runners for the award

 

aaaand the results have come through...

Eggestein wins Ballon d'Or!

 

Johannes takes the plaudits for an amazing year for club and country which saw him lift the Europa League, the Bundesliga and the DFL Supercup with Stuttgart as well as the World Cup with Germany. 2022 has seen Eggestein score some amazing 45 goals as well as providing 22 assists in 50 appearances

completing the podium are Tim Eichinger in 2nd place and Matthias Rapp in 3rd for what is a total VfB Stuttgart occupation of this year's award

woah... I'm speechless, this is a very special recognition for the work done so far at this club... all 3 of them are members of the famous class of 15 

 

Johannes Eggestein                                                                                                        Tim Eichinger

Matthias Rapp

 

all three named in FIFA World XI of the Year and Eggestein named World Player of the Year

 

 

Kristian Hoxha wins the European Golden Boy award for the second year in a row...

 

 

wow... okay, I think it's time for me to open a can of beer and just reflect back on 7 and a half years of work done here in Stuttgart...

 

[BoxToBox]

Terrible for Bundt, hopefully his professionalism and natural fitness will see him not hit too badly.

[noikeee]

A clean sweep of the Ballon d'Or top 3 is extremely impressive, obviously Germany's World Cup win helped a lot there but I'd be quite proud of that.

[LPQR]

12 hours ago, BoxToBox said:

Terrible for Bundt, hopefully his professionalism and natural fitness will see him not hit too badly.

yes, fingers crossed. it's his second long term injury in two years, i'm beginning to fear he's naturally prone

1 hour ago, noikeee said:

A clean sweep of the Ballon d'Or top 3 is extremely impressive, obviously Germany's World Cup win helped a lot there but I'd be quite proud of that.

I did open that can of beer and rolled through the achievements list

[LPQR]

March 2023 - Youth Intake

 

Phillipp Bautz                                                                                                                   Youssuf Saffa

a good intake this year, some good personalities well round, and remember that at this point our squad is so good that even captain Willi Orban is rated at 2 stars, so the 'star ratings' look pretty promising. we finally have some decent defensive prospects coming through at CB as Saffa joins Stolz in the U19 team to give us hope that Hesse and Gruneberg might have some competition in 3-4 years time. we are stacked with attacking players in the youth team, and whilst most of them look promising, there's only one or two that have the potential to make the first team, so we'll just have to wait and see how good Mr. Bautz gets

[BoxToBox]

Dang, academy's just rolling them out lately.

[LPQR]

35 minutes ago, BoxToBox said:

Dang, academy's just rolling them out lately.

 

absolutely, here are the top players in the U19 squad at the moment

 

Moritz Barth                                                                                                                      Felix Stolz

 
 

Carsten Eisert                                                                                                                             Oliver Munz

 

Eisert, Hollmann and Reimann have been snatched from youth teams around the league for 1-2 million to act as an excuse for me to spend some of the 300 million transfer budget I have at the moment
 

[LPQR]

May 2023 - Der VfB out to make history

 

Unbeaten in the league in the second half of the season we registered some great results, particularly the 5-0 dismantling of Wolfsburg and the 6-2 demolition of Koln

 

and that, ladies and gentlemen.... makes us Champions for the 6th year in a row

 

Bundesliga Overview

 

Eggestein must be a bit p*** off after he lost the Top scorer award in the last match of the season, but due to his heavy involvement in the CL I simply had to rest him for some league games

 

Incredibly, we lost in the quarter final of the German Cup on penalties to a considerably weaker Frankfurt side

 

An exceptional Champions League campaign so far after beating three of the top 10 clubs in the world.

Our most impressive performance has to be our 3-0 destruction of Barcelona at the Mercedes-Benz arena

 

 

Sooo, here we go again! 3rd succesive European Final and 2nd Champions League final in 3 years for VfB Stuttgart!

 

 

[BoxToBox]

Dominant!

[LPQR]

@BoxToBox @davehibb live updates or just final result?

[BoxToBox]

I'll watch if you do, of course.

[davehibb]

Updates!

[LPQR]

with a fantastic crowd of two fierce supporters, we kick off the match in 15 minutes time. Jenssen has kindly asked for a delay to enjoy one of his cigars before we can continue to less important matters

[davehibb]

The pre match tension is getting to me!

[LPQR]

3rd of June 2023 - Champions League Final

live updates

ladies and gentlemen, here we are at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, with a crowd of 90 thousand supporters present to witness the greatest night of the year in European Football: the CL final

tonight we'll see a match between two teams of Continental reputation : and increasingly dominant VfB Suttgart and a historically renowned Real Madrid C.F.

 

Joining us from the pitch with a live update on the team formations is BBC reporter Patrick Wasserziehr:

Patrick, good evening, what are the news from the two camps?

- Good evening, LPQR, both teams are fired up to reach the pinnacle of football glory tonight, especially VfB Stuttgart, who are out to claim only the second Champions League trophy in their entire history. Here's a brief overview of the formations the two teams have decided to field

Full strenght line-ups for both sides as Jenssen fields a team featuring 10 players trained in the VfB youth ranks, with the only exception being Willi Orban, the club's captain. Madrid will play their legendary Ronaldo-Gray-Silva trio upfront with Rafinha and Kroos supplying them with their excellent vision of the game. Another interesting talking point is that we have a Ballon D'or winner on either side of the pitch in the names of Ronaldo and Eggestein and it should count for a fascinating duel between the two.

 

Thank you, Patrick

*the referre has blown his whistle and the match is underway*

[BoxToBox]

Here we go!

[davehibb]

Let's have Gruneberg letting Ronaldo know he's there early on.

[LPQR]

Champions League Final -  live updates

6th minute - Stuart Gray fires a powerful shot just outside the area and it hits the post! So close for Real Madrid!! Stuttgart can't keep hold of the ball and are losing the midfield battle to a high-pressing Madrid

[LPQR]

Champions League Final -  live updates

15th minute - Eichinger misses an absolute sitter after firing wide from a one-on-one situation. Fantastic play by Rapp 

[BoxToBox]

Damn!