VfB Stuttgart aims to regain offensive flair in Bratislava before Champions League exit

VfB Stuttgart will be on Wednesday at 21:00 in the Audiostream before the decisive Champions League appearance against Slovan Bratislava. A win in the Slovak capital would give the team a solid starting position before the much stronger opponents Atlético Madrid, Galatasaray Istanbul and Inter Milan follow.

Offense in Focus

The hope rests on a revived offense that shone in the pre‑season. Names such as Deniz Undav, Jamie Leweling, Ermedin Demirovic and Bilal El Khannouss are mentioned in particular, although they have not yet found their full form after the long World Cup summer.

Coach Sebastian Hoeneß could rely on Chris Führich, who has been in the starting eleven in six of the seven league matches since the season began and most recently contributed a goal against his former club in Paderborn to a 2‑0 win.

Defense and Conditions

In defense, national player Maximilian Mittelstädt is still missing, while Ameen Al‑Dakhil is injured and Luca Jaquez has only recently returned. Dan‑Axel Zagadou and Leonidas Stergiou were not registered for the top tier, and it remains unclear whether defensive leader Jeff Chabot is fit to play again after his substitution in Paderborn.

The host Slovan Bratislava, coached by Yaya Touré, is considered a beatable opponent for a Bundesliga side. The Slovak record champion has the top scorer of the fourth‑placed team, Andraz Sporar, who is particularly worth watching.

VfB sporting director Fabian Wohlgemuth emphasizes that the team expects “a side that plays at a high level” and sees the match as “a task that can possibly be solved as well.”

A win would give Stuttgart not only confidence for the continuation of the Bundesliga, but also strengthen the foundation for the upcoming duels in the Champions League.