I remember a humorous comment from my student days in Northern Germany suggesting that as a Scot, I would feel right at home in Stuttgart due to the supposed frugality of the residents of Swabia!
This is a worn cliché that rarely reflects reality, and I believe most people of fair judgment would agree on this point regarding my fellow Scots. In fact, I’m convinced that supporters of Celtic and VfB Stuttgart will recognize and enjoy each other’s passion for football when they clash in one of the most exciting two-legged matches of the UEFA Europa League in the coming days.
What should Celtic fans know ahead of time?
– Meet Noahkai Banks: The outside contender for the USMNT’s World Cup squad
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– With their Bundesliga success, Bayern Munich grapples with a Pokal drought
VfB Stuttgart, to me, embody an underrated force in both football and culture beyond Germany, and many will be surprised by their allure and influence.
The team is defined by their iconic Brustring (the red ring surrounding their white jersey). Last August marked the centennial celebration of the Brustring, with an incredible display from the ever-passionate Cannstatter Kurve that sent chills down my spine during a match against Borussia Mönchengladbach.
For some inexplicable reason, Stuttgart isn’t often highlighted as a must-visit destination for football matches, yet it absolutely should be. Almost 60,000 supporters fill the MHP Arena for every home game, regardless of the team’s circumstances—it’s a rite of passage for many. With a substantial catchment area in the southwest, it’s simply unthinkable for local fans to support anyone else.
As three-time Bundesliga champions and four-time Pokalsieger (German Cup winners), including last May, Stuttgart and their fans have endured a roller coaster of emotions in recent years. They faced the dreaded Abstieg (relegation) in 2016 and 2019 but, fortunately, bounced back to achieve Klassenerhalt (staying up) immediately on both occasions.
Still, in both 2022 and 2023, this magnificent club found itself in the 2. Bundesliga and managed to cling to their top-flight status by the narrowest of margins. In 2022, salvation came through a dramatic last-minute goal against Köln, scored by Wataru Endo. A year later, they faced the tense relegation playoff against Hamburger SV.
By that time, the sophisticated Sebastian Hoeneß had taken over as coach. It’s remarkable to think he was appointed less than three years ago, as in a brief span, he has led VfB—Verein für Bewegungsspiele (Club for Movement Games)—to one of its most successful eras. Hoeneß has not only guided Stuttgart to a runner-up finish in the Bundesliga (beating Bayern Munich) in 2024, and a Pokalsieg in 2025, but has managed to do this while consistently losing key players each summer—a testament to his ability and that of Sportchef Fabian Wohlgemuth in finding suitable replacements.
Consider the players who departed: In 2023, Endo, Konstantinos Mavropanos, and Borna Sosa moved on. In 2024, captain Waldemar Anton and high-scoring striker Serhou Guirassy left for Dortmund, along with Hiroki Ito who joined Bayern. The following summer, Nick Woltemade and Enzo Millot departed as well.
However, Stuttgart is currently focused on securing a spot in the UEFA Champions League for next season, currently sitting in the top four after winning five of their last seven Bundesliga matches in early 2026. They are embracing the challenging yet enticing Dreifachbelastung (competing in three tournaments) while looking forward to a Pokal semifinal in late April as they attempt to defend their title.
Hoeneß prefers a possession-based style that keeps the ball circulating, utilizing a rotation of attacking players that keeps opponents guessing. One of their standout performances this year was against Leverkusen, where they executed intense Gegenpressing, overwhelming their rivals and clinching victory before halftime.
The engine room of this squad is led by the formidable Deniz Undav, who, despite an affinity for Döner kebabs over local specialties like Maultaschen (dumplings) and Spätzle (pasta), embodies the team’s dynamic play style. He typically operates just behind the primary striker Ermedin Demirovic. Since 2023, only Harry Kane and Undav’s former teammate Guirassy have outscored him.
Jamie Leweling also poses a significant threat, adept at maneuvering whether he plays on the left, right, or cuts inside. His development since his time at Union Berlin and Greuther Fürth has been remarkable. The midfield is anchored by twin stars, captain Atakan Karazor and creative left-footer Angelo Stiller, Hoeneß’s favorite from their time together at Bayern II and TSG Hoffenheim. When Stiller scores, it’s usually from a long-range effort.
The left flank can be a headache for opponents, featuring the skilled fullback Maximilian Mittelstädt, who works well with the dribbling maestro Chris Führich, who has regained his form after a challenging previous season. While the right side isn’t a definite weakness defensively, I believe there’s still room for improvement from the two current right-backs, Josha Vagnoman and Lorenz Assignon.
Jeff Chabot stands as the defensive leader. A left-footer with a commanding presence, he’s considered a candidate for the national team ahead of the World Cup and effectively partners with the talented 19-year-old Finn Jeltsch.
In goal, Alexander Nübel—on loan from Bayern—rarely falters. While I doubt Hoeneß will press as aggressively as Stuttgart did in Leverkusen, it’s something to watch, especially the positioning of Karazor.
Regardless of what unfolds in the upcoming week during this fascinating Europa League matchup, the appreciation for the players in the Brustring and their dedicated fans is sure to grow.