According to Sky Germany, the rivalry between Stuttgart and Borussia Dortmund is intensifying, and Waldemar Anton, center-back for Borussia Dortmund, may face a hostile reception at Stuttgart's home ground once again.

Sebastian Hoeness, Stuttgart's coach, is acutely aware of the growing rivalry between the two teams. He stated: "These kinds of matches tend to be intense, but they're also very interesting. This game is emotionally charged, and if you ultimately win, it feels even better."

For Stuttgart supporters, the clash between these two Champions League competitors carries particular sensitivity at the moment, partly due to Borussia Dortmund's transfer strategy in recent years. Over the past few years, Borussia Dortmund has signed three key players from Stuttgart: goalkeeper Gregor Kobel, center-back Waldemar Anton, and forward Serhou Guirassy.

Waldemar Anton has become a focal point of criticism.

Hoeness said: "This makes the match a little hotter for us and the fans." Waldemar Anton may face a hostile reception at Stuttgart's home ground again, and Niko Kovač, Borussia Dortmund's coach, is well aware of this.

Kovač stated: "Waldemar Anton has proven that crowd hostility doesn't affect him at all, but is it normal? I don't think it is. I believe there should always be limits to everything."

The Borussia Dortmund player remains unpopular in Stuttgart.

The former Stuttgart captain extended his contract with Stuttgart in January 2024, expressing his love for the club with words commonly used in football circles. At that time, Stuttgart wrote: "Waldemar Anton will continue to wear the red and white jersey." Just a few months later, Waldemar Anton moved to Borussia Dortmund. Since then, he has become an unwelcome figure in Stuttgart.

Kovač also stated: "We must not forget what Waldemar Anton did for this club during truly difficult times for Stuttgart." The rapidly escalating rivalry between the two sides in Westphalia and Swabia is evident here as well: in 2022, Waldemar Anton and Stuttgart narrowly avoided relegation on the final day; in 2023, the team again escaped relegation via the playoff. Now, Stuttgart and Borussia Dortmund are both strong competitors fighting for positions two through four in the league.

Stuttgart closes the financial gap with Borussia Dortmund.

Financially, Stuttgart has narrowed the gap with Borussia Dortmund, the long-time Champions League participant. Recently, Stuttgart announced revenue of €383.6 million for the 2024-25 fiscal year. About a month later, Borussia Dortmund announced revenue of €460.5 million. In the previous year, Borussia Dortmund had revenue of €526 million and Stuttgart had revenue of €299.8 million, a significantly larger gap between the two.

On the sporting side, Hoeness said: "It's important that we've come much closer in recent years, so Borussia Dortmund must certainly view us differently than before because of our performances." Kovač agrees: "This is a very balanced team, strong in possession, and they have many excellent individual players. They are a top team in the Bundesliga, truly."

Kovač is not fooled by Stuttgart's start.

Stuttgart earned only 3 points from matches against Bayern Munich (1-5), Cologne (4-1), and Hoffenheim (1-2), while Borussia Dortmund earned a full 9 points. However, this hasn't changed Kovač's current assessment. Kovač said: "3 points might not seem like much at first glance, but I won't be fooled by this result. They faced strong opponents."

Particularly in defense, Stuttgart has shown some issues in transition. Hoeness pointed out: "Our overall tactical coordination isn't good enough yet. Opponents find it too easy to penetrate our defense. We're not protecting the space behind us well enough. This problem certainly needs to be addressed."

Hoeness hopes to maintain a strong record against Borussia Dortmund.

Facing Borussia Dortmund's attack, led by Guirassy and Fabio Silva, Stuttgart's coach hopes to maintain his good record against Borussia Dortmund.

Since taking over as Stuttgart's coach in April 2023, Hoeness has led the team against Borussia Dortmund 8 times, losing only once. That sole defeat came in their most recent meeting, a 0-2 loss in April. This is Stuttgart's only home defeat of the year. Hoeness said: "That defeat hurt me a lot. I still remember it."

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