Stuttgart's Hoeness: Bayern 'biggest challenge now - maybe in Europe'

VfB Stuttgart coach Sebastian Hoeness showed Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich the utmost respect ahead of their clash on Saturday, despite the Bavarian's poor form in recent games.

"It's the biggest challenge that you can have now - in Germany, maybe even in Europe," Hoeness said in a news conference on Thursday.

Bayern are coming off two Bundeslia draws against champions Bayer Leverkusen and Eintracht Frankfurt, and a Champions League defeat to Aston Villa.

But Hoeness stressed that Bayern "are back to their old strength" after the past season, in which they failed to win a trophy for the first time in a decade. Stuttgart, meanwhile, were second ahead of third-placed Bayern.

"They have a very strong attitude and Vincent Kompany seems to be doing a good job. Bayern have an outstandingly good squad, but we want to try and take our chances and play a more open game than last year," the coach said.

Just like their Saturday's opponents, Stuttgart have failed to win in their last three games. To survive in Munich, they have to capitalize on the smallest of chances, Hoeness stressed.