The hard work and solid defence behind VfB Stuttgart resurgence
What a difference a week makes. Having seen a previous resurgence in form checked by three straight losses in all competitions, VfB Stuttgart are back in the groove after successive victories against Augsburg in the DFB Cup and away to Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga.
Morale is understandably high in and around the MHPArena ahead of this weekend's top-flight test against a Wolfsburg side who have ambitions of a European finish. For the Swabians, the game represents a chance to stay on the coat-tails of RB Leipzig in fourth place and even leapfrog them should Leipzig slip-up on Matchday 22.
Now out of European competition after a tiring campaign in the UEFA Champions League, Stuttgart have found their feet on the domestic front. Their chase for a top-four spot was boosted with victory at BVB, while a spot in the DFB Cup semi-finals means Berlin is now in sight for Sebastian Hoeneß's charges.
Watch: Stuttgart celebrate important win in Dortmund
Among those whose beaming smile reflected Stuttgart's mood last weekend was Max Mittelstädt, VfB's Germany-international full-back who has been one of the team's outstanding performers in 2024/25. "We won both our games (this week) thanks to our defensive work and at the same time were able to be a danger on the offensive and score goals," the 27-year-old said, in quotes appearing on Stuttgart's official website.
"In training, we worked on being even more stable defensively and together allowing fewer (chances on our goal); we managed that well in the last two matches," the Berliner added.
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Mittelstädt's defensive strengths are matched by his ability to create big chances for Stuttgart. Indeed, the flying full-back leads the Bundesliga rankings in crosses from open play (68), while his five goal involvements (one goal, four assists) mark him out as one of the most creative in his position.
Another of those enjoying a purple patch during Stuttgart's current surge is Jeff Chabot, the team's central defender and summer signing from Cologne. The 6'5" colossus scored his first-ever Bundesliga goal in that win over Dortmund while his defensive exploits helped keep Augsburg at bay in VfB's Pokal success.
"I’m really happy to have scored my first Bundesliga goal, especially at such a stadium (as the Signal Iduna Park) and in a game like this," Chabot said after the BVB win. "I hope this means the dam is broken for me now," he added, after registering his first top-tier goal in his 76th game in the division.
Watch: Chabot and Stuttgart take their fans' acclaim at Signal Iduna Park
"Jeff Chabot was an absolute rock today," Hoeneß said following the Augsburg triumph. "He’s a good guy and he was uncomfortable with all the praise he got today. That just goes to show the kind of person he is. Reaching the DFB Cup semi-finals is a huge success and now we want to reach Berlin together."
Next up for the rising Stuttgart, Saturday's test against Wolfsburg and a chance to make it a hat-trick of successive victories in all competitions. "Games against Wolfsburg are often very intense (and) the club strengthened again with new additions in the winter; it will be a tough game," Mittelstädt warned.
With mood high among Die Schwaben once more, however, the visiting Wolves will need to be just as wary of their ambitious opponents.
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