• Stuttgart aim to defend their DFB-Pokal title against German giants Bayern Munich
• Manager Sebastian Hoeneß calls for an ‘exceptional performance’ from his players
• Captain Atakan Karazor insists the squad is ‘fired up’ and ready for the challenge
• The hosts have already secured qualification for next season’s Champions League
• The quarter-final clash takes place on Wednesday evening

VfB Stuttgart manager Sebastian Hoeneß admits his side must deliver something extraordinary to keep their DFB-Pokal trophy. The holders face a difficult quarter-final test against FC Bayern Munich on Wednesday night.

“We know exactly what this match requires. Facing Bayern always demands your very best effort. This is a huge test against one of Europe’s top sides,” Hoeneß told reporters at his pre-match press conference.

The Stuttgart boss remains optimistic about his team’s chances. His squad has already secured a spot in next season’s Champions League. They have survived several tense moments during this campaign. Now, they can approach big matches with belief and even enjoy the pressure.

“We can create good chances, but we must also survive difficult periods. Sometimes you just have to dig deep and stay in the contest. We must work hard and wait for the right opportunities,” he explained.

Hoeneß has a personal history with the Bavarian club, having previously coached their reserve team. He described the fixture as special. Then, club captain Atakan Karazor shared his own thoughts on the big game.

“We want to defend our trophy here in Stuttgart. We know Bayern are tough opponents, so we must give everything and run that extra mile. However, we are not scared. The whole team is ready and excited for this match,” the skipper stated.