Why PSG is an "inspiration" for VfB
Since their show of force at VfB Stuttgart, Paris Saint-Germain has been unstoppable. Coach Sebastian Hoeneß started researching the situation – and was impressed.
At this point, still on equal footing, but a few minutes later, not anymore: Sebastian Hoeneß (right) and Luis Enrique before the Champions League clash in Stuttgart in January. picture alliance/dpa
For weeks, even months, VfB Stuttgart was on par with Paris Saint-Germain, but that all came to an end on January 29th at approximately 9:06 p.m. The French champions, who had entered the final matchday of the Champions League on the same number of points as the Swabians, showed in Stuttgart almost from kickoff what one is more used to in the opening rounds of the DFB Cup: a class difference.
After 17 minutes PSG were leading 2-0, after 35 minutes 3-0, after 54 minutes 4-0 , and it was clear that the two teams would go their separate ways at the final whistle: VfB were eliminated and never recovered from their national lesson, while PSG stormed into the Champions League final from 15th place in the table , where they will face Inter Milan on Saturday (9 p.m., LIVE! on kicker) and can complete the treble.
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Sebastian Hoeneß had prepared meticulously for his final group-round opponent, as usual, but, for once, he also conducted extensive research afterward—so impressed was the VfB coach by the team that had hurt his so badly. "We played against Real, against Juventus, against Bergamo, but PSG were by far the best team. By far!" Hoeneß recently emphasized to the Süddeutsche Zeitung . "They seem like the perfect team to me."
The combination at PSG is remarkable: "On the one hand, they have extreme control of the game thanks to the Spanish approach of coach Luis Enrique, and on the other hand, a high pace and high intensity. Even the top stars were attacking us. We haven't seen that from PSG in previous years."
And this "cultural change" interested Hoeneß so much that after that 4-1 defeat in January, he started to "find out more." "What I heard confirmed what I saw on the pitch: This is a hot, hungry team with a very, very good spirit."
In this respect, PSG is also an "inspiration" for his VfB, despite the significant financial disparity. "It's high-quality football, but played by an intact group that exudes absolute commitment to the common idea in every position. That's a great affirmation for me, because it reflects exactly what's important to me at VfB," explains Hoeneß. "If the team is above all else and everyone is pursuing the same common plan, then you can also demand that Ousmane Dembelé run and contribute to the team. I'm convinced that this logic applies to all teams."
