“We want to reach next round”

The games are coming thick and fast for VfB Stuttgart, who play their fourth match in 10 days when they take on SC Paderborn at the Home Deluxe Arena on Tuesday evening. There has been no news on the injury front since Friday’s trip to RB Leipzig, according to VfB head coach Bruno Labbadia. “Laurin Ulrich and Tiago Tomas will definitely miss the match,” he said. “As far as the others are concerned, we’ll have to wait for our training session this afternoon.” Naouirou Ahamada is also unavailable as he is currently in London to negotiate a transfer to another club.

Goalkeeper Fabian Bredlow has been preferred to Florian Müller in the DFB Cup this season, but Labbadia has yet to decide who will start between the sticks in Paderborn. “I haven’t spoken to the two goalkeepers about that yet, but I will,” said the VfB boss, adding: “Flo Müller remains our number one.”

After Dynamo Dresden and Arminia Bielefeld, Paderborn are the third second-division club to be drawn against VfB in the DFB Cup this term. Currently fifth in Bundesliga 2, Paderborn are strong on the ball and dangerous in front of goal, having found the net more often (36 times in 18 games) than any other team in the division in 2022/23.

“They are a top side,” Labbadia continued. “We’re taking on a very committed team who have always had a big role to play in recent years. They’ve already knocked Werder Bremen out of the cup. We know it’ll be a tough challenge. In terms of intensity, it’s going to be just as demanding as the game in Leipzig. We have to have a very good day and definitely want to reach the next round.”