Group G Kick-off: 19-45 (BST)
Markus Babbel hopes the visit of Group G leaders Sevilla will bring the best out of his team, with Stuttgart having drawn their opening Champions League outings against Rangers FC and Unirea.
Manuel Jiménez’s Sevilla are four points clear already and look well placed to win the group.
“We are facing extremely strong opposition who are among the top clubs in Europe,” said Babbel. “They showed that impressively in their 2-1 win against Real Madrid – a game which they could have won by an even higher margin.
“Without being too modest, I think I can say we are not favourites in this match. We have not played to our full potential this season, but this is a new competition and a new chance. Our performances are improving.
“Maybe it’s also a good thing for us that we now meet a team that wants to play attacking football. We’ve had a hard time lately against teams which drop deep into their half and only look to play on the counterattack. But we have to capitalise on our chances better than we did against Schalke [a 2-1 defeat]. In the Champions League, you get even fewer chances.”
Jimenez, meanwhile, believes his side could go all the way in this season’s competition.
“This could be a good year for Sevilla,” he said. “We’re taking part in this competition for the third time and slowly but surely we are improving. We could finish first in the group, and then we’re allowed to dream. Why couldn’t we make it to the semis or even the final? But we have to face Stuttgart first.
“We’re currently lacking a bit when it comes to taking chances, so we need to have the right attitude and be ruthless tomorrow. We won’t be fooled by Stuttgart’s standing in the Bundesliga; you don’t become German champions five times by doing nothing. We have plenty of respect for them.”
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