VfB Stuttgart have won both Champions League matches this season, scored six goals and conceded only one, and that gives them a real platform before Atletico Madrid arrive in Germany on 20 October. The bigger point is that the threat has not come from one player alone. Ermedin Demirović already has four Champions League goals, while Deniz Undav has opened his account as well.
Stuttgart's attacking depth
Wednesday's 3-0 win away at Slovan Bratislava was not Stuttgart's slickest night, but it still showed how many ways they can hurt teams. Demirović scored his fourth Champions League goal of the season against Slovan Bratislava, and the same match brought a front four of Undav, Dženan Pejčinović, Chris Führich and Bilal El Khannouss. Jamie Leweling and Demirović both made an impact from the bench.
That spread of options is the point Stuttgart can lean on against Atletico. Demirović is joint top of the Champions League goalscoring standings on four, while Stuttgart have already put six past opponents in their first two European games. They have also conceded only one, so the attack is being backed by a side that has not opened itself up at the other end.
Atletico's task in Germany
Atletico Madrid arrive in a less convincing European position. They are 15th in the Champions League table with three points from two matches, even though they are second in La Liga. That makes this a tougher test than their domestic form suggests, especially against a Stuttgart side that have already handled the competition well.
The fixture is still to come, but Stuttgart have given themselves a proper chance to make it awkward. On 20 October, VfB Stuttgart vs Atletico Madrid will tell us whether their early European scoring run can carry into a bigger night at home.
Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 1 outlet. How we work →
