Bayern Munich vs VfB Stuttgart preview - Veh hoping for Bayern lift

Posted Friday, September 12, 2014 by PA

Stuttgart will be looking to pick up their first win of the season when they travel to Bayern Munich this Saturday with their coach Armin Veh taking his side's punishing fixture list with a pinch of salt.

The Swabians managed to pick up only one point from their first two games of the season - at Borussia Monchengladbach and at home to Cologne - and already the alarm bells are sounding in the Baden-Wurttemberg state capital.

"A few years ago, I started the season with four away games and two at home - and those two were against Bayern Munich and Dortmund. That was also great," said Veh, who did not look like he is feeling the pressure at a light-hearted press conference on Thursday.

"This time we actually had an easier start because we should have beaten Cologne at home, with all due respect. Now we've got Bayern, Hoffenheim and Dortmund and then Hannover...well, that's fine because then come Leverkusen and Schalke and, and, and."

Veh knows of Stuttgart's struggles against Bayern, and that the club were beaten 6-1 in Munich two years ago.

At the same time, however, he feels now could be the best possible time to face Bayern, who are yet to hit top gear this season and may also be thinking ahead to their Champions League clash with Manchester City next Wednesday.

"I want my team to show that they want to win this game," he said. "At the start of a season, you do have a chance of getting something there, and we've got to try to take this."

Since that comfortable victory on the second weekend of the 2012/13 season, Bayern have only managed to beat Stuttgart by a single goal in their last three encounters, including a rather fortunate victory earlier this year.

"We know that it's never easy against Stuttgart," said goalkeeper Manuel Neuer on his club's website.

"We've often had problems against Stuttgart."

The hosts should be able to count on Xabi Alonso, who was able to complete his very first full training session on Thursday since joining from Real Madrid just 24 hours before making his debut in the draw with Schalke last time out.

International duty and a foot problem had kept him out of training since, but he should be fit to make his second appearance and his first at home for Bayern.

Arjen Robben is also back in the frame for selection while Medhi Benatia is in line for his debut at the heart of the defence.