Stuttgart’s Leverkusen Win Offers Relief as Undav Prioritizes the Team
VfB Stuttgart delivered a timely statement in the Bundesliga, beating Bayer Leverkusen 4-2 away from home to claim their third league victory of the season. The result was more than an impressive scoreline: after a difficult run and a painful home defeat to bottom-placed Borussia Mönchengladbach, it gave the Swabians a much-needed lift.
For captain Deniz Undav, however, the breakthrough was not about ending his personal scoring drought. The Germany international had gone eight Bundesliga appearances without a goal, but said that concern was secondary to the club’s need to rediscover its form.
“I don’t care about that at all,” Undav told Sky when asked about his run without a league goal. “First, we have to get out of this phase. When things start going better again, the goals should come too.”
A Crucial Result After a Difficult League Run
Stuttgart arrived at the BayArena as underdogs. Their early-season record—two wins and five defeats—had left them searching for consistency, while the loss to Gladbach had intensified the pressure. Against Leverkusen, they responded with the kind of attacking performance that can reset a team’s confidence.
The match was open and turbulent, with both sides finding the net, but Stuttgart proved more clinical when the key moments arrived. Their four goals secured a valuable away win and offered evidence that the squad can still compete with one of the Bundesliga’s strongest teams, even during a challenging spell.
Fabian Wohlgemuth, Stuttgart’s board member for sport, described the victory as a “release.” That word captured the significance of the result: the points mattered, but so did the emotional reset after a frustrating run. A strong performance in Leverkusen could help the team approach its next fixtures with greater belief.
Undav was equally clear about what mattered most. “I’m glad we won. That’s the most important thing. I’m proud of the team for the performance we showed. After what we’ve done so far, that wasn’t easy,” he said.
Demirović Praises Undav’s Influence Beyond Goals
While Undav’s goal tally remains at zero in the league, his contribution against Leverkusen showed why Stuttgart value him beyond finishing. His strike partner Ermedin Demirović was among the standout players, taking his Bundesliga total to five goals and his tally across all competitions to nine.
Demirović also highlighted the less obvious parts of Undav’s game. “He is so important to us, whether he scores goals or not,” the Bosnian forward said. He pointed to Undav’s passing and awareness, arguing that the forward’s ability to spot a team-mate can be overlooked when attention focuses only on goals.
The pair’s connection was especially clear in Stuttgart’s fourth goal. Undav sent a sharp diagonal pass through the Leverkusen penalty area, cutting through the defensive line and moving beyond goalkeeper Mark Flekken and centre-back Facundo Medina. Demirović was left with a simple finish, calmly putting the ball away to make it 4-1 and give Stuttgart a decisive cushion.
It was a significant moment for Undav, who recorded his first Bundesliga goal contribution of the campaign. Although it was an assist rather than a goal, the play underlined his value as a creator and a link between Stuttgart’s midfield and attack. For a forward judged partly by his finishing, that kind of contribution offers a useful reminder that influence can take more than one form.
What the Win Means for Stuttgart’s Season
One victory does not erase the problems behind Stuttgart’s uneven start, but beating Leverkusen provides a strong platform. The result can help restore confidence, particularly among the attacking players, and gives the coaching staff a positive performance to build on. It also reinforces the importance of a connected forward partnership: Demirović supplied the goals, while Undav helped create the space and chances that made them possible.
For supporters following the Bundesliga, the result adds an intriguing question to Stuttgart’s season: can the team turn a dramatic away win into a sustained run of form? Their next league assignment is against Werder Bremen, a fixture that will test whether the Leverkusen performance was a turning point or a one-off response to pressure.
Before that domestic match, Stuttgart travel to Istanbul to face Galatasaray in the Champions League. Undav has already made an impact in Europe, registering one goal and two assists in three appearances, while Stuttgart have collected seven points from those matches. His European form offers further evidence that he can influence games even when his Bundesliga scoring record is not moving.
Undav’s Goal Drought Is Not the Main Story
Undav’s eight-match league drought will inevitably remain part of the conversation, especially because he is Stuttgart’s captain and a central figure in their attack. But his reaction after the Leverkusen win suggests that the team’s recovery comes first. He is focused on helping Stuttgart climb out of a difficult period, trusting that goals will follow as the side’s performances improve.
That mindset could prove important as the schedule intensifies. Stuttgart need points in the Bundesliga and will also face demanding European opposition, making contributions across the squad essential. If Undav continues to create chances for Demirović and his other team-mates, his influence may remain significant even before he finds the net himself.
For now, the 4-2 victory is the headline. Stuttgart earned a major away result, Demirović continued his strong scoring season, and Undav delivered a decisive assist. The most encouraging sign for the Swabians may be that their captain is measuring progress by the team’s recovery—not by his own statistics. If the win proves to be the start of a stronger run, his goals may arrive as a consequence of the collective improvement he is demanding.
