Stuttgart’s Alexander Nübel ruled out for PSG clash

Ahead of a crucial Champions League match against PSG, VfB Stuttgart will reportedly have to do without keeper Alexander Nübel. The Bundesliga outfit must already contend with the loss of defender Anthony Rouault due to suspension. According to Sky’s Dennis Bayer, defender Ameen Al-Dakhil will now have to defend ahead of back-up keeper Fabian Bredlow.

A bout of illness looks to sideline Nübel. The 29-year-old Bredlow nevertheless doesn’t count as an inexperienced option at all. Bredlow brings with him the experience of 37 Bundesliga appearances, including four strong starts last season. The Swabians were undefeated in the league with Bredlow in net, registering three league wins and a draw.

Bredow has also served as head coach Sebastian Hoeneß’ preferred option in the DFB Pokal this season, starting both the round two and three fixtures. The Berlin-native helped the Württembergers beat Kaiserslautern 3-1 in October. In December, he kept a clean sheet in the 3-0 win over Jahn Regensburg that led Stuttgart to the quarter-finals.

If the information from Sky is true, Bredlow will be making his Champions League debut this evening. In all likelihood, nothing less than a win will suffice if the 2023/24 Bundesliga runners up hope to advance beyond the 2024/25 UCL group phase.

GGFN | Peter Weis