VfB Stuttgart Struggles to Meet Bundesliga Expectations Despite Early Season Promise

VfB Stuttgart entered the 2026/2027 Bundesliga season with high hopes following their DFB-Pokal victory and a solid previous campaign. However, after six competitive matches—including early successes in the DFB-Pokal and Champions League—the team has managed just three points from four Bundesliga games, disappointing fans and analysts alike.

Key challenges include the underperformance of striker Deniz Undav, who has struggled with form and fitness. The midfield lacks a clear defensive anchor as new signings Grischa Prömel and Angelo Stiller share similar playing styles without providing the necessary defensive stability. Atakan Karazor, the only true defensive midfielder, has yet to feature this season. Defensively, the team has been vulnerable, with players like Finn Jeltsch and Jeff Chabot committing critical errors that have negatively impacted match outcomes.

Coach Sebastian Hoeneß’s tactical adjustments, including deploying new signing Dzenan Pejcinovic—who showed promise early on—have yet to yield the expected consistency. Additionally, the disrupted preseason due to the recent World Cup has likely contributed to several key players being out of form.

With a three-week international break ahead, Stuttgart faces crucial weeks to address these tactical and fitness issues before a demanding run of away fixtures. Failure to improve could see the team fall further behind in the Bundesliga standings.