VfB Stuttgart Hopes Champions League Magic Lifts Bundesliga Form

VfB Stuttgart players and staff feel Tuesday’s strong Champions League showing against Atlético Madrid could mark a turning point for their difficult Bundesliga start. Although they drew 1-1 after playing with a man advantage for the last half-hour, the team left the match with renewed belief in their ability to compete with top European clubs.

Stuttgart had only managed six points from their first six Bundesliga games before Tuesday. However, they had already won their opening two Champions League matches and delivered another convincing European performance against Diego Simeone’s Spanish title contenders.

Jamie Leweling scored in the 36th minute, his first goal since March, rewarding Stuttgart’s aggressive play and attacking efforts. Atlético equalized just after halftime through Julián Álvarez, but Stuttgart continued to compete well and created more chances even after Morten Hjulmand was sent off in the 64th minute.

Left-back Maximilian Mittelstädt stated that Stuttgart’s performance proved their quality.

“We’re good, no question,” Mittelstädt told reporters. “When you play like that against Atlético Madrid in the Champions League, there’s no doubt about it. We have the ability. Today, I felt we gave 100 percent from the start. Everyone pushed themselves to their limits. With that kind of energy, we’re a top team.”

“We have attacking quality,” Mittelstädt added. “What’s been missing lately is finishing chances. Against a team like Atlético, you have to make the most of limited opportunities. Today, we made a little out of a lot. Still, we played well and can build on that.”

Stuttgart's Best Game Yet, Says Wohlgemuth

VfB’s Sporting Director, Fabian Wohlgemuth, was also encouraged by the performance. He highlighted the stadium’s atmosphere, particularly the elaborate display by the Cannstatter Kurve fans, which he felt spurred the team on.

“These midweek games are special,” Wohlgemuth said. “In the Champions League, the fans are even more present. After the choreography, the fans were buzzing. Their effort had a special effect on the players. Our players were driven to perform at their best. That’s why, in my opinion, it was our best game this season.”

Stuttgart’s high-intensity play disrupted Atlético’s rhythm in the first half. The visitors struggled with Stuttgart’s pressing, especially in their own defense, and were lucky to only be trailing by one goal at the break.

“Today, we drew against one of Europe’s best teams,” Wohlgemuth responded to a later question. “One of Europe’s most aggressive teams couldn’t impose their game today. We managed it and nearly beat them. We’re all happy. We know what we’re capable of. I’m aware that there could have been more in the game today.”

This performance was particularly important given Stuttgart’s recent domestic struggles. Their loss on Saturday was their fourth Bundesliga defeat in six games, raising concerns about their ability to maintain previous standards.

Wohlgemuth, however, maintained that the club never doubted the squad’s potential.

“We haven’t always proven this season that we can compete,” Wohlgemuth stated when asked about the team’s performance again. “We always knew we have a good team. We knew that when we push ourselves, we can play against top teams. Today’s performance proves that.”

Crucially, Wohlgemuth believes Tuesday’s game provides a foundation for improvement in the Bundesliga.

“We can learn a lot from this game,” Wohlgemuth continued. “Against the teams ahead of us in the Bundesliga – and there may be more of them than at this point last year – we can pick up points. This feeling is stronger after tonight’s game than before.”

Prömel Sees Champions League Match as Potential Benchmark

Midfielder Grischa Prömel also suggested that Stuttgart’s display against Atlético could set a standard for future matches. The 31-year-old, who returned to the starting lineup on Tuesday, was particularly pleased with the team’s collective intensity.

“Whether it’s better, I don’t know,” Prömel told reporters. “We wanted to win all three points. I can say it was a lot of fun playing with the team today. Today we saw what the coach wants from us and what we want for ourselves, and tonight’s game can be seen as a benchmark.”

Prömel was especially happy with the team’s pressing and defensive effort, which disrupted an Atlético side that had won their last six matches across all competitions.

“I think we showed today what it means to be there for each other and fight for each other,” Prömel replied to a later question. “We won the ball cleanly many times, recovered it high up the pitch, and attacked directly. You can’t fault the team today, except that we didn’t win. That might sound abstract, but it’s the reality.”

Beyond tactics, Prömel spoke passionately about the occasion. For a Stuttgart team struggling for consistency in the league, playing against a major European club was a reminder of their capabilities.

“It was a lot of fun and I really enjoyed it,” Prömel said. “You don’t play against Atlético every day. When you walk out and see that choreography, it fits the whole evening. It was a fantastic Champions League night. You dream of things like this, and it makes all the daily hard work worthwhile.”

Stuttgart now has an immediate chance to turn their European performance into Bundesliga progress. Borussia Mönchengladbach visits the MHP-Arena on Friday evening, and Hoeness’ players will be hoping to prove that their encouraging display against Atlético was not just a one-off.

Having remained unbeaten in three Champions League fixtures and secured seven points, Stuttgart has already shown they can compete on the European stage. The challenge now is to consistently replicate that intensity, commitment, and attacking flair in domestic competition.