Undav speaks out on Stuttgart struggles and Germany snub
· Yahoo Sports
Six games into VfB Stuttgart's 2026/27 season, captain Deniz Undav is still searching for his first goal.
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Saturday's 0-1 defeat to Borussia Dortmund also proved unsuccessful for the striker, who was taken off after 64 minutes.
“Of course I’m not happy that I was substituted. I don’t feel like I’m getting the situations I had last season, because I’m often too far back. I’m hardly ever up front, and when I am, the balls don’t come. In four games, I’ve only had two chances," Undav complained in an interview with Sky Germany after the game.
“Last year, it was often the case that I stayed on the last line up front. Then I was always in a position where a ball might drop to me. Now I’m further back and sometimes have to run 40 meters forward. Then you rarely find yourself in those situations. I have to work on finding a better balance.”
Earlier this week, Undav was left out of Jürgen Klopp's 44-man squad for the upcoming UEFA Nations League games – another setback for the 30-year-old, who already had to fight hard to prove himself under former Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann.
“I speak openly, I don’t hold back, and I say what I think, whether it’s negative or positive. I’ve often had problems and often had to prove myself. I already had a war this summer. Now I have to prove myself again. I’ve had that my whole life," Undav said.
“I was briefly disappointed because I thought I had built up a bit of a cushion through the World Cup and my games for the national team. Apparently, that’s not the case again, and I have to prove myself all over again.
“It’s exhausting having to prove yourself to every coach, but I’m used to it. So I’ll do it again, hopefully so that I’m back in November.”
Undav revealed that Klopp had told him his performances in the two matches he had watched from the stands had not been good enough.
“You have to accept that. I’m not one to feel sorry for myself. I’m not going to sit here crying. Now it’s time to move forward again," he underlined.