Stuttgart Football Club News

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Hleb takes a backward step

08 Sep 2009 - 16:00:47

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Belarus winger Alex Hleb has admitted that he has been forced to take a step backwards to get his career back on track at Stuttgart.

The 28-year-old has gone back to Germany on an initial season-long loan from Barcelona, having made little impact in his one season at the Camp Nou.

He told Sport: "It's true that I have taken a step back in my career, but sometimes it's necessary to take one step back to take two steps forward.

"It was hard to resign myself to not getting game time at Barca, but if the team wins every game, how can you complain to the coach?

"I was practically an Inter Milan player (earlier this summer).

"I was in Milan, but my agent closed a deal with Stuttgart, a team I love very much because I spent five years there before joining Arsenal."