Deniz Undav Ends Goal Drought as Stuttgart Make Winning Champions League Start
Deniz Undav broke his scoring drought in emphatic fashion, opening the scoring in VfB Stuttgart’s 3-0 Champions League victory over Slovan Bratislava. The goal was more than a welcome return to the scoresheet for the Stuttgart captain: it also continued an exceptional run of European contributions that has made him one of the most productive German players in continental competition.
Angelo Stiller supplied the decisive pass after Undav found space with intelligent movement. The striker kept his finish composed, sending Stuttgart ahead in the 29th minute. After an uneven start to the season, the goal offered a timely reminder of Undav’s value—and gave supporters a fresh reason for optimism as the club began its Champions League campaign with three points.
A standout European record
According to Opta, Undav has recorded more goal contributions than any other German player in the main rounds of European competitions since the start of last season. His total stands at 12: four goals and eight assists. That return reflects not only his finishing ability but also his willingness to create chances for teammates, a quality that has become central to Stuttgart’s attacking identity.
Undav’s European form began in the Europa League last season, when he contributed nine times as Stuttgart reached the round of 16. The Swabians’ run ended against FC Porto, but the striker’s performances established him as a reliable presence on the continental stage. He also set up two goals in Stuttgart’s 3-1 opening win against Viking Stavanger, further underlining his influence in Europe.
The Bratislava match was particularly significant because Undav had yet to score across Stuttgart’s three competitions this season. An Achilles tendon problem disrupted his preparations, while a series of difficult performances led to criticism. In September, Germany coach Jürgen Klopp left him out of his expanded squad, adding to the scrutiny surrounding the forward.
From difficult start to renewed confidence
Football seasons rarely follow a straight line, and Undav’s early campaign showed how quickly expectations can shift. A striker who had been among Stuttgart’s most dependable attacking players was suddenly being judged on a short run without a goal. His finish against Bratislava does not erase the challenges he has faced, but it provides a clear response: he remains capable of influencing important matches when his team needs him.
Undav’s recent history gives that response extra weight. At the World Cup, he scored three goals in four appearances for Germany and emerged as one of the tournament’s brighter performers for the national side. For Stuttgart, he has previously produced 25 goals and 14 assists. He also took over the captaincy from Atakan Karazor ahead of the new season, a sign of the responsibility he carries both on and off the pitch.
Head coach Sebastian Hoeneß has continued to support his captain despite the difficult opening weeks. Before the Champions League match, Hoeneß argued that statistics alone could not explain Undav’s contribution. His point was that the striker’s movement, link-up play and understanding of the game can be valuable even when he is not scoring. Against Bratislava, however, Undav delivered both the wider contribution and the headline moment.
Stuttgart control the match and finish strongly
Stuttgart’s 3-0 win was built on a dominant first half and a strong response after the visitors began to threaten. Hoeneß made five changes following the 2-0 victory in Paderborn, including a switch in goal. Fabian Bredlow started in place of Dennis Seimen, who had recently made his Bundesliga debut after returning from a lengthy injury absence.
Hoeneß explained that Seimen was still coming back from a four-month injury, making the selection change a practical decision rather than a reflection on the young goalkeeper’s ability. Bredlow had little to do early on as Stuttgart controlled possession and pushed forward. Ramon Hendriks and Undav both missed promising chances before the captain converted Stiller’s pass.
Josha Vagnoman nearly added a second before the break, striking the crossbar with a powerful effort. Slovan goalkeeper Dominik Takac also made important saves to keep the score within reach. Stuttgart’s attacking pressure was clear, but the visitors remained close enough to make the second half uncomfortable.
Slovan, coached by former world-class midfielder Yaya Touré, improved after the interval and began to find more space. Sandro Cruz hit the crossbar in the 61st minute, briefly raising the prospect of a tense finish. Stuttgart had wobbled, but the moment passed when Vagnoman drove a dangerous cross into the area and Cruz inadvertently turned it into his own net in the 65th minute.
Ermedin Demirović sealed the result in the 90th minute, heading home to complete the 3-0 scoreline. The striker had already made a major impact against Viking Stavanger with a hat-trick, and his late contribution ensured Stuttgart finished the night with a convincing margin.
What the result means for Stuttgart
The victory gives Stuttgart a perfect start to their Champions League campaign and offers encouragement ahead of a demanding run of fixtures. A strong European opening can build confidence, but the team will need to maintain its intensity as domestic and continental commitments begin to overlap. Rotation, fitness and the ability to respond when opponents gain momentum will all be important factors.
For fans studying the latest football prediction conversations, Stuttgart’s performance provides several useful clues, though one result should never be treated as a guarantee of future outcomes. The side created regular chances, showed depth through its substitutes and recovered after Slovan threatened. Undav’s return to scoring form is another positive, particularly because his movement gives Stuttgart a different dimension in attack.
The most encouraging takeaway may be that Stuttgart did not depend on a single moment. Undav opened the scoring, Cruz’s own goal extended the lead, and Demirović finished the job. That spread of attacking responsibility is valuable over a long season, especially when injuries and fixture congestion test a squad’s depth.
Undav’s first goal of the campaign may prove to be a turning point, but its significance already goes beyond the scoreline. It ended a frustrating wait, reinforced his record as a prolific European contributor and helped Stuttgart launch their Champions League journey with a commanding win. If the captain can build on this performance, both he and the club could have plenty more to celebrate in the months ahead.
