Bobic questions Europa apathy

Stuttgart sporting director Fredi Bobic is surprised at the lack of enthusiasm shown by the club’s fans for Europa League football.

Coached by Bruno Labbadia, Stuttgart boosted their European hopes with a 1-0 win over Nuremberg on Sunday, which took them up to seventh in the Bundesliga table.

But Bobic, 40, feels there is not much excitement among the Stuttgart faithful at the prospect of appearing in UEFA’s second-tier tournament.

“The Europa League is widely renowned. But the question is how it is seen here,” he told Bild.

“Most recently, the tournament was not accepted in Stuttgart and the stadiums were not full.

“It’s kind of hard to grasp.”

Stuttgart reached the round of 32 in the Europa League last season, where they were eliminated by Portuguese club Benfica.

Labbadia’s men resume their challenge for European football with a trip to Bundesliga leaders Borussia Dortmund on Friday.