VfB Stuttgart secured their first Champions League qualification after 14 years in what has been an astonishing Bundesliga season, as Borussia Dortmund beat Paris Saint-Germain 1-0 at the Signal Iduna to grab an extra Champions League qualifying spot for the Bundesliga.
Traditionally, the top four teams in the Bundesliga qualify for the Champions League. However, the revamped format of the Champions League, which will expand from 32 to 36 teams starting next season, sees the two leagues with the best score in Europe get an extra place.
Each win is worth two coefficient points, a draw gets you one, and you get nothing for a defeat.
The Italian Seria A was the first league to secure the first extra slot, and with no English team in either the Champions League or Europa League, the win against Paris yesterday saw Dortmund grab the extra spot for the 2024/2025 Champions League Season which gives the top four of the Bundesliga automatic qualification with 3 Bundesliga matches to finish the current season.
Now, Stuggart is set to play in the Champions League for the first time since the 2009/2010 season where they were knocked out in the round of 16 by FC Barcelona.
VfB Stuttgart placed 16th in the 2022/2023 Bundesliga season and needed a relegation play-off to stay in the competition this campaign.
From relegation play-off to Champions League qualification
When Sebastian Hoeness was appointed VfB Stuttgart’s head coach in April, the club was evidently in disarray. Bottom of the Bundesliga table and already onto their third coach of the campaign, the ambition then was simply to survive relegation.
The Swabians proceeded to lose only twice in their final 12 games, including wins home and away against Hamburg in their relegation play-off after the appointment of their new head coach Sebastian Hoeneß.
What has happened since the relegation play-off has been remarkable, and the momentum might have just carried them into this season and their Champions League journey.
A good summer transfer window and individual brilliance.
Despite selling key players such as Konstantinos Mavropanos to West Ham United and veteran Japanese midfielder Endo Wataru to Liverpool in the summer due to financial difficulties as a result of the pandemic and the renovation of MHPArena, one might think, their season was over before it had begun, but Hoeness’ side somehow only became stronger.
Serhou Guirassy 
Guirassy has been the revelation of the season for Stuggart this term. The 27-year-old Guinean has scored 25 goals in 25 Bundesliga games. He had been important in keeping his team in the competition but his scoring streak was unmatched across Europe, propelling them in the early weeks of the campaign as the front-runners for the title, with the Guinean netting 15 goals in 9 matches.
Deniz Undav 
Deniz Undav has finally found his feet in the Bundesliga after a hard time in the English Premier League, as he struggled to break into the first team regularly with Brighton.
The German international has scored 18 Bundesliga goals with 8 assists to his name.
After winning the Player of the Month award for November, the forward added the January prize to his collection; thanks in no small part to his maiden Bundesliga hat-trick against RB Leipzig, whilst earning his first call-up for Germany’s March 2024 friendlies with France and the Netherlands in the process.
Enzo Milot 
Enzo Millot, a bargain buy from Monaco and still only 21 years old, has become one of the Bundesliga’s best midfielders this season. The French midfielder has 5 goals and 2 assists to his name. The French midfielder is considered one of the best midfielders in the Bundesliga this season.
Maxi Mittelstadt
After the departure of Bona Sosa, Maxi Mittelstadt has been a perfect replacement despite not even being a regular starter at his former side, Hertha Berlin. Maxi has emerged as one of the best left-backs in the league. The German International has 2 goals and 4 assists to his name in the ongoing Bundesliga campaign.
Small margins exist in football, as the saga of VfB Stuttgart serves as a reminder. If Stuggart had suffered a few setbacks in the leap, this club would have no one citing them as a provocation. Rather, they demonstrate the potential that arises when individuals come together.
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Story by: Rabbi Adu Agyei
