Hoeneß defends Undav amid growing criticism | OneFootball

Sebastian Hoeneß has defended Deniz Undav amid scrutiny of the VfB Stuttgart forward’s form ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League opener against Viking FK.

“I have to put my foot down now. This is getting out of hand,” Hoeneß said at his pre-match press conference, according to DPA. He added he was weary of repeated questions about the 30-year-old.

Undav is yet to score after three games this season and was substituted on 70 minutes in Friday’s 4-1 win over 1. FC Köln.

The Stuttgart coach said he is not concerned about his captain, arguing the criticism has been exaggerated and stressing Undav was a major reason the club reached the Champions League.

He said getting on the scoresheet against Viking FK is not the priority, and warned against reducing Undav to numbers. “Anyone who starts trying to explain Deniz Undav through statistics has already lost, in my view.”

Hoeneß added that Undav has progressed by following his own path with a strong mind, and that is how he should be handled. He also played down concerns over the Achilles tendon issue Undav felt after the Köln match.

Source: BuLi News

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