Despite two penalties being overturned in the second half, a first half spot-kick proved the difference for Fenerbahçe at home to Stuttgart. - © IMAGO/Depo Photos

bundesliga

VfB Stuttgart suffer narrow defeat on the road to Fenerbahçe

23.10.2025

VfB Stuttgart were edged out in Istanbul by Fenerbahçe courtesy of a converted first-half penalty as they suffered a second consecutive league phase defeat on Matchday 3 of the 2025/26 UEFA Europa League.

Fenerbahçe 1-0 VfB Stuttgart
Goals: 1-0 Aktürkoğlu 34‘ (pen.)

The Swabians started brightly, frequently putting Domenico Tedesco’s Fenerbahçe under pressure in the early phases. However, a Bilal El Khannouss foul on Edson Álvarez ignited the hosts into life and laid the foundations for a very physical encounter.

Alexander Nübel was repeatedly tested but Stuttgart’s custodian came up trumps each time. That was until Angelo Stiller brought down Milan Škriniar in the area, earning the hosts a spot-kick which Kerem Aktürkoğlu dispatched into the bottom right corner.

The second half showed no signs of reducing the frantic tempo at which the first was played. At the hour-mark, Fenerbahçe thought they had been awarded another penalty after Luca Jaquez brought down Nene in the box, before it was overturned by the VAR.

Minutes later, the same thing happened up the other end, with the spot-kick awarded for Álvarez’s apparent foul on Stiller likewise being chalked off retrospectively.

Stuttgart pushed for an equaliser, coming closest through substitute Deniz Undav late on, whose effort from inside the box flashed just wide of the post. But ultimately, the Swabians had to accept a second consecutive Europa League defeat.

Sebastian Hoeneß' side are back in Europa League action on 6 November when they welcome Dutch side Feyenoord to the MHP Arena on Matchday 4.

See Stuttgart's Europa League fixtures here

Recap the match action against Fenerbahçe below...

1 - 0

(1 - 0)

Fenerbahce

FINAL

Stuttgart

Europa League
League phase, Matchday 3 League phase, Matchday 3 Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium, Istanbul

Full-time: Fenerbahçe 1-0 Stuttgart

Aktürkoğlu's penalty was the difference as Stuttgart suffer back-to-back defeats in Europe. The visitors did enjoy extended spells of possession with their creativity coming through El Khannouss and Bouanani but without a recognised striker, they were unable to convert any of their chances.

Full-time

90'

+ 8

Yellow card

İsmail Yüksek

90'

+ 8

Yellow card

Deniz Undav

90'

+ 5

Corner for Fenerbahçe

The hosts are happy to bide their time as they await the final whistle. Durán finds himself in possession of the ball before winning a corner which results to nothing.

90'

+ 3

Long from Stuttgart

It's long from Nübel but it's easily cleared by Škriniar. Time is running out for the Bundesliga club.

90'

+ 1

Stoppage time

The fourth official has indicated a further seven minutes.

89'

Corner for Stuttgart

It's again played short from Stuttgart which is eventually played in from deep, but it's cleared comfortably by Fenerbahçe.

89'

Yellow card

Jhon Durán

87'

Substitution

Jhon Durán

Youssef En-Nesyri

87'

Substitution

Talisca

Kerem Aktürkoğlu

86'

Substitution

Chris Führich

Tiago Tomás

86'

Substitution

Finn Jeltsch

Luca Jaquez

82'

Substitution

Sebastian Szymański

Marco Asensio

82'

Yellow card

Jayden Oosterwolde

82'

Clear cut chance!

Leweling finds himself in plenty of space. Driving forward, he finds El Khannouss who in turn pulls the ball back for Undav, who pulls his shot wide of Ederson's post.

80'

Substitution

Oğuz Aydın

Nene Dorgeles

77'

Double change

Hoeneß makes a double change as Stuttgart go in search of an equaliser, with Leweling and Nartey replacing Karazor and Hendriks.

77'

Substitution

Jamie Leweling

Ramon Hendriks

77'

Substitution

Nikolas Nartey

Atakan Karazor

Pressure from Stuttgart

Stuttgart have seen plenty of the ball tonight and have had 11 attempts on goal, but nothing to show for it.

70'

Final 20

We're into the final 20 minutes here as Stuttgart go in search of an equaliser.

65'

No penalty for Stuttgart

Stuttgart again enjoy a spell of possession down their left. The ball is fired in by El Khannouss which finds Stiller, who goes down under the challenge of Álvarez. After a short stoppage and consultation with the VAR, it's another overturned decision.

63'

Substitution

Deniz Undav

Badredine Bouanani

63'

Penalty overturned

A crazy couple of minutes as Nene goes down following a nudge from Jaquez, which results in a second penalty, but it's overturned after the VAR judged the Fenerbahçe attacker to be offside in the build-up.

52'

Karazor over!

It's down Stuttgart's left again where the Bundesliga club are getting a lot of joy. This time Mittelstädt combines with Hendriks who finds Karazor, but his effort flies over.

49'

High intensity start

It's straight down the other end of the pitch as Aktürkoğlu sees his effort blocked before firing the rebound wide.

48'

Chance for Stuttgart

Stuttgart have shown composure on the ball all evening and it results in a chance early in the second half. El Khannouss and Mittelstädt combine which results in the Stuttgart man finding Bouanani unmarked inside the area, but his effort is blocked.

46'

Back underway

Stuttgart get the ball rolling as they chase an equaliser.

Kick-off!

Half-time: Fenerbahçe 1-0 Stuttgart

It's a physical affair in which Stuttgart have controlled possession and have shown intensity, but it's Fenerbahçe that lead at the break courtesy of Aktürkoğlu's penalty kick after Stiller brought down Škriniar. The Bundesliga side aren't without chances though and it's still all to play for in the second half.

Half-time

45'

+ 6

En-Nesyri from range

The Moroccan tries his luck from distance with a powerful effort that is tipped wide by Nübel. The following corner is cleared by Stuttgart.

45'

+ 4

Yellow card

Nélson Semedo

45'

+ 4

Stuttgart probe

The visitors enjoy an extended spell of possession which ends in Stiller firing over from distance with his weaker right foot.

45'

+ 1

Added time

The fourth official has signalled six minutes of stoppage time.

Aktürkoğlu fires Fenerbahçe into the lead

Aktürkoğlu slots his penalty kick past Nübel's left hand side.

39'

Corner for Stuttgart

As Stuttgart look for an equaliser, Luca Jaquez heads just wide from a corner.

34'

Fenerbahçe lead

After a brief stoppage, Aktürkoğlu steps up to take the resulting penalty which is fired into the bottom corner past Nübel, who dives to the right.

34'

Kerem Aktürkoğlu

GOAL!

1:0

Penalty

34'

Stuttgart concede a penalty

From an Aktürkoğlu corner, Stiller pulls on the shirt of Škriniar which is caught immediately by the referee, who points to the spot.

34'

Penalty!

Taker:

Aktürkoğlu

31'

Yellow card

Angelo Stiller

30'

Mittelstädt volley

The ball is played in by Assignon from a deep position which is met by the head of Chabot. Brown is only able to clear the ball as far as Mittelstädt who tests Ederson with a volley from a tight angle.

27'

Yellow card

Edson Álvarez

27'

Chances at both ends

Almost immediately, Asensio tries his luck for a second time this evening which forces Nübel into another save.

24'

First chance for Stuttgart

The visitors press Ederson which forces the Brazilian to play it long which is collected by Stuttgart. Bouanani links up with El Khannouss who tries his luck from distance, but his effort is saved.

21'

Yellow card

Bilal El Khannouss

21'

Another opening!

Stuttgart lose the ball in midfield which is gathered by Yüksek, who plays the ball into the channel for En-Nesyri. The Moroccan forward advances with the ball before firing a shot that stings the palms of Nübel.

Physical affair

The challenges have been flying in thick and fast in the opening stages here.

14'

Nübel saves

Stuttgart play a short corner but are caught sleeping which allows Nene to nip in and initiate a counter-attack, resulting in the Fenerbahçe forward dribbling the full length of the pitch before forcing Nübel into an easy save.

12'

Another chance

Hendriks can only clear the ball as far as Asensio, who fires his shot over Nübel's bar from range.

11'

First chance for Fenerbahçe

Stuttgart lose the ball in their own defensive third which is picked up by Nene, whose cross finds the head of Aktürkoğlu but the Fenerbahçe attacker is unable to generate any kind of power.

High intensity from Stuttgart

Stuttgart are playing without fear, pressing Fenerbahçe high up the pitch and forcing the hosts to turn over possession with an aimless long ball.

Free-kick for Fenerbahçe

Chabot collides with Brown from the resulting corner, and a free-kick is awarded to the hosts after a brief stoppage in play while the player receives treatment.

Early corner for Stuttgart

Tomás finds himself in an excellent position centrally before playing the ball wide to Mittelstädt, who wins an early corner for the visitors.

We're underway

Fenerbahçe get the ball rolling in Istanbul.

Kick-off!

Players on the pitch

We're moments away from kick-off here.

Stuttgart are out for their warm-up

Strong bench

Should Hoeneß need to, he has plenty of reinforcements to call upon with Undav, Führich and Leweling on the bench, while Chema Andrés offers an excellent option in central midfield.

The players check out the pitch

Stuttgart players are soaking up the atmosphere and checking out the pitch conditions ahead of what is a big night for the Bundesliga club, who are in superb domestic form.

More on those teams

Hoeneß makes two changes to his Stuttgart side that beat Wolfsburg 3-0. Bouanani and Karazor come in for Nartey and Chema Andrés. For Fenerbahçe, Tedesco makes four changes with Ederson, Škriniar, Brown and En-Nesyri coming in for Çetin, Söyüncü, Mercan and Talisca.

Stuttgart starting XI

Nübel – Assignon, Jaquez, Chabot, Hendriks – Karazor (c), Stiller – Bouanani, Tomás, Mittelstädt – El Khannouss

Stuttgart subs

Bredlow, Hellstern, Vagnoman, Führich, Leweling, Zagadou, Undav, Nartey, Jeltsch, Chema Andrés, Jovanović

Fenerbahçe starting XI

Ederson – Semedo, Škriniar (c), Oosterwolde, Brown – Álvarez, Yüksek, Asensio – Nene, En-Nesyri, Aktürkoğlu

Fenerbahçe subs

Eğribayat, Çetin, Söyüncü, Fred, Durán, Demir, Müldür, Szymański, Aydın, Talisca

Nartey replaces Demirović

Nartey has been called up to Stuttgart's Europa League squad following Demirović's metatarsal injury. Because of UEFA regulations, clubs can temporarily replace injured outfield players with another outfield player. Once the Bosnian has returned to full fitness, he will return to the squad.

More from Tedesco

"When we consider the situation, we need to be flexible. We'll be playing against a flexible team, and we need to be flexible. I mean this in the sense that sometimes you'll press up front, sometimes you'll press up front, and sometimes you'll retreat a little further. Therefore, we need to know how to act and how to act in this regard."

Domenico Tedesco on facing Stuttgart

It's always difficult to play against Stuttgart. They're a strong opponent. Playing against Stuttgart away is especially difficult because I know the atmosphere they create. We'll be playing at home, and we need everything we can."

Hoeneß on Stuttgart's gameplan for this encounter

“We always try to utilise our intensity and will try to impress the opponents again tomorrow. On the one hand it’s tactical, on the other it’s a way of swinging the game in our favour.”

Sebastian Hoeneß on facing Fenerbahçe

"The fans here are really incredible, it’s something quite special. We’re also blessed with amazing fans, though. We’ll have to quickly acclimatise. They have a number of players who have played for some of the best teams in the world. It’s a really good challenge for us, which will ask everything of us. But that’s exactly what we want.”

Tedesco's taste for Stuttgart

The Fenerbahce coach has lost just once in six games against Stuttgart, winning four of those games and drawing once. His only loss against them (3-0) came as coach of Erzgerbirge Aue in the 2016/17 Bundesliga 2 season.

Tough test

Now under the guidance of former Schalke and Leipzig boss Domenico Tedesco, Fenerbahce are unbeaten in their first nine league games of the season. They have won five and drawn four of those matches, meaning they sit in third place on 19 points behind Trabzonspor and Galatasaray.

Familiar faces

In amongst Fenerbahce's ranks are some recognisable names who once plied their trade in Germany's top-flight. Defender Çağlar Söyüncü (pictured) was on Freiburg's books between 2016 and 2018. Teammate Emre Mor was at Dortmund as a promising youngster for just one season (2016/17), and striker Cenk Tosun was a product of Eintracht Frankfurt's academy. Tosun was an Adler for 14 years between 1997 and 2011, though he made just one senior competitive appearance.

0:58

Watch: Wolfsburg 0-3 Stuttgart - highlights

Superb domestic form

Despite the recent defeat to Basel, Stuttgart have been enjoying a brilliant spell of form in the Bundesliga. Their 3-0 weekend victory away to Wolfsburg marked their fourth consecutive win in the league.

One win, one loss

Stuttgart won at home to Celta Vigo on Matchday 1, before going down 2-0 at Basel last time out. Fenerbahce are also on three points, having lost in Zagreb and beaten Nice.

Welcome!

Welcome along to live coverage of VfB Stuttgart's third match in the league phase of the 2025/26 UEFA Europa League away at Fenerbahce in Türkiye on Thursday.