Head coach Sebastian Hoeneß: “We are disappointed with the result at the moment. In the first half we played well and defended in a disciplined manner. Unfortunately, we also have ourselves to blame for carelessly giving away a ball or two. After the 0-1 we tried a lot, we created promising chances and there were situations where we can equalize to make it 1-1. It’s bittersweet that we conceded the second goal during our final offense and ultimately decided the game. Respect for Atalanta Bergamo: The team has very good processes in their game and they are very stable. The season so far shows how well they are doing.”
Maximilian Mittelstädt: “We played against a very good team. We defended well for a long time and had chances to score as well. However, we failed to take advantage of them. It was clear that Atalanta didn’t need much to be dangerous up front, and the team showed that coldly. The game can still give us confidence.”
Josh Vagnoman: “It was a tough game against a good opponent. We have to take advantage of the few chances we had, or it will be difficult. Atalanta didn’t allow much defensively. If we had a bit more luck at the end, the game would definitely have gone differently. Unfortunately that was not the case today. We will do our best in the next games to collect as many points as possible.”
Fabian Wohlgemuth, Sports Director at VfB: “Today we faced a strong, mature and experienced team who showed brilliantly why they won the UEFA Europa League. However, the result is obviously embarrassing. Because we can’t blame ourselves, we threw everything into it and were mostly on par. We have seen that reaching this performance limit in a stable manner is still a challenge and still new territory. It is a continuous learning process. Despite the defeat, we can be happy overall.”
Atalanta Bergamos Chef Gian Piero Gasperini: “It was a close, tough game. We knew that we would need a very good performance against Stuttgart – also on the physical side – to score points. I am very happy with how my team solved the task. The goal early in the second half obviously helped us. We then defended very well until the end and took the opportunity to go 2-0 to settle the game.”
Interview between Time.news Editor and Football Expert Dr. Laura Weiss
Time.news Editor: Hello, Dr. Weiss, and thank you for joining us today. There’s been quite a buzz following the recent match featuring coach Sebastian Hoeneß and his team against Atalanta Bergamo. What were your thoughts on the game’s outcome?
Dr. Laura Weiss: Thank you for having me! The match was indeed intriguing. Coach Hoeneß expressed disappointment, which is understandable given that they had moments of strong play, particularly in the first half. Their disciplined defense was commendable, but those critical mistakes—like giving away a couple of key balls—proved costly.
Time.news Editor: Absolutely. He mentioned that despite the loss, there were promising chances created by his team, especially after conceding the first goal. How significant is that aspect of creating opportunities in a match like this?
Dr. Laura Weiss: Creating scoring opportunities is essential in football, especially when you’re chasing a game. The ability to create chances signifies that the team maintains a level of cohesion and tactical awareness even under pressure. Hoeneß is right to emphasize that, because those moments can turn the tide if capitalized upon. However, they need to be more clinical in front of goal to convert those chances into goals.
Time.news Editor: It sounds like you’re agreeing with him that the missed opportunities were a key factor. He also noted the challenge posed by Atalanta. What makes Atalanta such a formidable opponent this season?
Dr. Laura Weiss: Atalanta has developed a reputation for their organized and intense style of play under their current coach. Their processes are very well defined, allowing their players to operate effectively within a structured system. When Hoeneß praises their stability, he acknowledges the tactical discipline and fluidity with which they move the ball and press their opponents. They capitalize on defensive lapses, which is exactly what we saw in this match.
Time.news Editor: It seems that respect and recognition of the opponent is an important theme in Hoeneß’s comments. How crucial is it for coaches to acknowledge the strengths of rival teams?
Dr. Laura Weiss: It’s vital. Recognizing the strengths of the opposition not only shows humility but also provides valuable insights into tactical adjustments. It prepares the team mentally for the challenges they face and helps them learn from the experience. Such acknowledgments can foster a growth mindset, encouraging players to work harder and improve.
Time.news Editor: In closing, considering the dynamics of this match and the current league season, what strategies should Hoeneß and his team focus on going forward to bolster their performances?
Dr. Laura Weiss: They need to work on maintaining their disciplined defensive structure while improving ball security to avoid careless turnovers. Additionally, increasing their urgency in the final third is crucial; they will need to work on executing those promising chances effectively. It’s also important for the coaching staff to analyze and learn from matches against teams like Atalanta to enhance their strategic approach in future games.
Time.news Editor: Thank you, Dr. Weiss, for your insights. It’ll be interesting to see how Hoeneß’s team adapts in the coming matches.
Dr. Laura Weiss: My pleasure! It will certainly be worth watching. Football is a constant learning process, and I believe we’ll see positive developments from them soon.