BERLIN, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- Sebastian Hoeness might have been listening more attentively than ever to his father Dieter and uncle Uli over the past few days. With VfB Stuttgart set to face Real Madrid in the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League opener this Tuesday, every bit of information could prove valuable for the Stuttgart coach.
In some ways, Stuttgart's first-ever Champions League meeting with Real Madrid feels like a family affair. Dieter Hoeness had multiple encounters with Los Blancos while playing for Bayern Munich, and Uli Hoeness was involved in all 27 of Bayern's matches against Real as a player, sporting director, and club president.
Over 14 years since Stuttgart last participated in the Champions League - being eliminated by Barcelona in the 2010 round of 16 - Sebastian Hoeness now gets his chance to take on Real Madrid.
Bayern's crushing 9-1 victory over Real in a 1980 friendly, with Dieter scoring three goals and Uli in a managerial role, marked the beginning of a historic rivalry. Bayern remains the team that has faced Real Madrid the most in the Champions League, turning into the Spaniards' nemesis after inflicting their heaviest defeat.
While the insights and advice from the Hoeness family won't necessarily level the playing field for Stuttgart, they could help the German underdogs better prepare for their Champions League challenge.
Sebastian Hoeness has transformed Stuttgart into a competitive force in the Bundesliga, securing second place in last season's campaign. Now, he faces the next step in his coaching journey. The 2024/25 Stuttgart squad, however, feels like a mixed bag, particularly after the recent losses of key players like German international Waldemar Anton and striker Serhou Guirassy (both to Borussia Dortmund), as well as defender Hiroki Ito (to Bayern).
Last weekend's 3-1 victory over Borussia Monchengladbach, Stuttgart's first league win of the season, provided a confidence boost ahead of their Champions League debut. Key players like winger Chris Fuhrich, midfielder Angelo Stiller, and striker Deniz Undav have broken into the German national team and are seen as part of the country's new generation.
While Stuttgart's attack has impressed with seven goals in their first three Bundesliga games, their newly formed defense remains a weak point. Balancing the demands of three competitions - the Bundesliga, the DFB-Pokal, and the Champions League - will be a new experience for the team.
Only goalkeeper Alexander Nübel (Schalke, Bayern, Monaco) and Swiss international midfielder Fabian Rieder (Young Boys) have prior Champions League experience.
"We're facing a footballing giant, one of the greatest clubs in history. It's undoubtedly a dream game for our fans and the club," Hoeness said. "We've earned this opportunity, and it's up to us to seize any chance we get." ■