Hoeness: Undav not 100% mentally focused amid Achilles discomfort

VfB Stuttgart thrilled the fans in their first home game of the season with a 4-1 win over Cologne on Friday evening, but captain Deniz Undav didn't play a big role.

The top forward is struggling with fitness due to a minor Achilles tendon irritation and his personal performance.

"It's the fate of a superstar that, after a 4-1 win, people ask about Deniz's performance," coach Sebastian Hoeness said. 

"Of course he can play better, he's shown that very, very often with us," he admitted. 

Hoeness added that he doesn't feel that Undav is 100% mentally focused and that the Achilles tendon is causing him a few problems.

Despite the discomfort, Hoeness expects that Undav will be able to play in the Champions League opener against Viking FK on Wednesday. 

"I'm convinced he won't let anything keep him from playing in the Champions League game," the coach said, adding that Undav will still need treatment until then.

Against Cologne, however, it didn't really matter that Undav didn't deliver a top performance. 

"We delivered exactly what we set out to do on the pitch. The lads played with intensity, pressure and speed, which was good. We scored very nice goals and it was a well-earned win," Hoeness said.