Champions League: “Hot patch”: stress test for Stuttgart and Demirovic

Ermedin Demirovic doesn’t want to be intimidated. It could get “disgusting,” said the VfB Stuttgart striker about the likely heated atmosphere at the Champions League away game against Red Star Belgrade. But he is looking forward to it. A cauldron like the one that awaits the Swabians on Wednesday (6.45 p.m./DAZN) in the Rajko Mitic Stadium could also motivate a professional footballer, said Demirovic.

For the 26-year-old, the appearance in Serbia as a Bosnian international may be particularly explosive. “I don’t know what to expect there, how the people will receive me,” said Demirovic. But he is prepared for anything. Stuttgart’s declared goal against Belgrade, who are still without a win in the current competition, is three points. They can really use them too. They got four points from the first four games in the premier class. In order to reach the knockout phase, they still have to stretch a bit.

Trend-setting games against feasible opponents

The groundbreaking weeks in the Champions League begin in Belgrade. Then it’s against Young Boys Bern and Slovan Bratislava – all doable tasks for VfB. Demirovic is now increasingly in focus. Against Red Star mainly because of his origins. But also sporty. After the injury-related absences of Deniz Undav and El Bilal Touré, Stuttgart’s offense is even more dependent on Demirovic.

The attacker came from FC Augsburg in the summer for more than 20 million euros. He started promisingly, but recently faded. Demirovic hasn’t scored for VfB since the beginning of October, not even in the premier class. Does the goal drought end in the game in the neighboring country of his ancestors that is so special to him?

“Expedition into the fan cultural landscape”

“Belgrade is a hot, emotionally charged place,” said VfB sports director Fabian Wohlgemuth to the German Press Agency. “But we’re prepared for it.” For everyone involved, this year’s trips were “also an expedition into the fan cultural landscape of Europe,” explained the 45-year-old. “Belgrade is certainly special in this respect.”

Provocations and pyrotechnics are practically the order of the day at home games for the Serbian champions. The club’s ultras in particular are notorious. Which prompted VfB to give its own supporters a whole series of safety tips.

The Stuttgart-based company recently announced that parts of the Red Star fan scene are considered to be “seeking violence and belonging to organized crime.” They explicitly advised VfB fans not to buy tickets for the home area of ​​the stadium. If possible, they should move around the city without wearing fan clothing and should not sing any songs. For safety reasons, it was also recommended not to attend the Youth League game between the two clubs on Wednesday lunchtime.

See you again with Silas

The 2,400 VfB supporters who got tickets for the game in the guest area that evening would also have to expect that their coins would be taken at the entrance. In Serbia, this is considered a possible projectile and therefore a prohibited item.

“Comfort, that much is certain, will definitely not happen,” said VfB sports director Wohlgemuth. The Stuttgart team are still in good spirits, as they will see their offensive man Silas, who is currently on loan at Red Star, again. Striker Demirovic said we are in a good position in the league again after the 2-0 win against VfL Bochum at the weekend. Now another victory in the Champions League would be “extremely important”.