VfB Stuttgart lost 1-0 away to Hamburger SV in the Bundesliga, after which Deniz Undav and Sebastian Hoeneß criticised the team's performance and form. It was Stuttgart's fourth Bundesliga defeat in six games, although they had won both of their first two Champions League matches.
The win was Hamburg's third consecutive win after starting with three defeats and a 0-12 goal tally.
Undav questions Stuttgart's level
According to Sky, Germany international Deniz Undav said: "Of course it's a shame, but we have to admit that we're not a top team at the moment."
Undav also said Stuttgart are missing a lot of what has set them apart over the past two or three years.
Asked what those things were, Stuttgart's captain said: "In previous years, we still managed to win games like this and put our chances away. This year we're finding that difficult."
He added: "We also fade, especially in the second half. We really have to work on that to get back up the table. If we don't, it will be a very, very tough season."
Chances and finishing
Undav is still waiting for his first Bundesliga goal this season.
He had seven shots and recorded an xG figure of 0.61 on his own.
Undav summed up: "We wanted to win and had plenty of chances, even if they weren't the really clear-cut ones. Ultimately, we have to come away with a draw; then no one can complain."
He also said: "It was an open end-to-end contest at the finish, and we can't allow that. But there's nothing we can do now; we have to look ahead."
Hoeneß on the defeat
VfB coach Sebastian Hoeneß also found the defeat "very bitter, because quite a lot of our plan worked when I look at the first half. We didn't allow HSV any major chances. We then had enough opportunities ourselves to take the lead. But efficiency in front of goal was a big factor this time."
His team "have to take a look at themselves" over the goal they conceded, the 44-year-old said, "because we didn't stop the counter-attack that led to the 0-1."
Atletico Madrid in the Champions League
After the Hamburg defeat, Stuttgart's next Champions League game was at home to Atletico Madrid.
All Hoeneß would say was that it would be "a great experience" and his team would "be ready".