VfB Stuttgart keeps finding new ways to drop points in the race for European competition. Aside from individual mistakes, their performance in Kiel was, in many ways, a step backward compared to the game against Bayern Munich.
If you want to look at the bright side of the 2–2 draw against newly promoted relegation candidate Kiel, for once, you could highlight their efficiency in front of goal. Twice, the team with the red stripe tested Kiel’s goalkeeper Timon Weiner, and both times the ball ended up in the net. And, to top it off, two struggling offensive players were the ones to score. First, Jamie Leweling with a powerful shot—one that reminded us why we once called him “Captain Leweling” on the podcast last season. Then, Ermedin Demirovic netted his ninth goal of the season after a determined assist from Nick Woltemade. The problem? VfB managed only four more shots in over 90 minutes. Karazor headed wide, while shots from Undav and Demirovic were immediately blocked.
Given the number and quality of Kiel’s chances, Stuttgart were actually lucky to escape with a point in the end. Anyone aware of the game’s context might be tempted to blame the absences of six center-backs—Jeltsch, Chabot, Jaquez, Chase, Al-Dakhil, and Zagadou. Or perhaps it was because VfB played much of the second half with a man down? No, the problems run deeper—and are actually quite obvious. Because VfB is once again doing classic VfB things.
Unstable Formation
It used to be a common occurrence: After a strong but ultimately unsuccessful performance against a top team, Stuttgart would relax the following weekend, seemingly surprised that they had to bring the same intensity against a bottom-table opponent. It seemed like they had moved past this issue last season. However, the more this season unfolds, the more it feels like last year wasn’t just exceptional in terms of results but also in how things played out. The realization that much of last season’s success came from everything clicking together and riding a wave of momentum hasn’t fully sunk in at the club.
Take head coach Sebastian Hoeneß, for example. Ever since the 1–0 away win at Dortmund in last season’s second half, he has been convinced that it’s a good idea to move Angelo Stiller into central defense and push Enzo Millot back into the defensive midfield. Or to not only force an unavoidable personnel change on his already unsettled team but also make an unnecessary switch to a back three. The result? Even the previously solid Ramon Hendriks struggled as the left-sided center-back. Leonidas Stergiou’s defensive blunder led to the red card and nearly a third conceded goal. Meanwhile, Stiller was sorely missed in midfield, and although Enzo Millot was a bit more active than usual, he was largely stripped of his offensive impact—except for his assist to Jamie Leweling.
A Leader, Not a Jokester
Or take Deniz Undav. Despite weeks of poor form, he remains an automatic starter but contributes little besides mistimed shots and using his physicality. With all due respect, that’s simply not enough for the most expensive signing in club history, who also earns the highest salary in the squad. And it’s not just about the stats—it’s also about his leadership role on the pitch. Undav is no longer the fun-loving underdog with an unusual career path, complementing Serhou Guirassy’s 28 goals with his own. He’s supposed to be a leader for this team and a key figure for the fans. But lately, he hasn’t been living up to that responsibility. At least in Kiel, Hoeneß finally broke the pattern of recent weeks—not only making substitutions at halftime but also taking off his preferred signing (and one favored by a board member).
This issue extends to the entire team, which has now blown a lead for the fourth game in a row. In three of the last four matches, they even fell behind. Time and again, the players seem to assume that, just like last season, one goal will automatically lead to a second. But in the process, they continuously lose focus and intensity. Against Wolfsburg, they were caught on the counter. Against Hoffenheim, Chabot made a costly error. Against Bayern, Nübel, Stiller, and Vagnoman all slipped up. In Kiel, it was Hendriks and Stergiou. Meanwhile, the team is neglecting fundamental basics like clean build-up play or defending set pieces. Tellingly, they only ramped up the intensity after going down to ten men.
A Step Back to Gain Momentum?
Despite their recent struggles, VfB has technically moved a spot closer to the European places thanks to results elsewhere. But if they continue with this mix of sloppiness and carelessness, they could throw it all away in the next two games against Leverkusen and Frankfurt—not to mention the massive opportunity to reach the cup final. Meanwhile, Mainz is surging up the table, led by players like Dominik “I’ll take out anyone, even my own goalkeeper” Kohr and Nadiem “I’ll celebrate a gifted penalty in front of the opposition fans” Amiri. They’re not just benefiting from momentum but also deservedly climbing the standings thanks to the hunger and ruthlessness that Bo Henriksen has instilled in them. In Stuttgart, there was hope after the Bayern match that the team was heading in the right direction. But after the draw in Kiel, sporting director Fabian Wohlgemuth admitted that things are “not quite” on track.
If you want to find silver linings in yet another missed opportunity, there are a few. Demirovic ended his goal drought. Woltemade’s form remains strong. And El Bilal Touré is back. These three could become decisive factors in the season’s final stretch—provided that both the coach and the squad finally move on from last season. Everyone acknowledges that the leap from relegation candidate to runner-up happened fast. But the question remains: How many steps forward did the club take all at once last year, and how many will they now have to take back in a season that isn’t exceptional?
Despite all the revenue, VfB’s squad investments were too significant to simply aim for a “quiet season,” which was once seen as the goal. But as long as the club doesn’t suffer long-term financial damage like it did 15 years ago, a step back could also serve as a chance to build momentum again—for the rest of this season and beyond.
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