bundesliga

Maximilian Mittelstädt: Who is the VfB Stuttgart and Germany left-back?

17.05.2024

Maximilian Mittelstädt could be the answer to Germany's prayers at left-back. bundesliga.com profiles the VfB Stuttgart wide man who is part of Julian Nagelsmann's UEFA Euro 2024 squad and was tipped as a possible starter...

Stats correct as of 26 March 2024

Maximilian Mittelstädt

Age: 27 (born 18 March 1997)
Club: VfB Stuttgart
Position: Left-back/ left midfield
Country: Germany (two senior caps)

Key stats

Mittelstädt was still making in-roads with the first team at boyhood club Hertha Berlin, when he stated playing for Germany at either the 2018 or 2022 FIFA World Cup was "the goal". The left-sided specialist has had to bide his time, but finally got the chance to build on his 31 youth caps - the last of which fell in the 2019 UEFA U21 Euro semi-finals - after being called up for senior friendlies against France and the Netherlands in March 2024. It is fair to say Mittelstädt grasped his opportunity with both hands, starting both fixtures as Germany prevailed on each occasion, even netting a stunning strike versus Die Oranje to equalise.

Mittelstädt's inclusion in the Euro squad is just reward for a fantastic campaign. The 5'10" wing-back has featured in 30 of VfB's 33 top-flight games this term, producing two goals and four assists for a Stuttgart team that has secured qualification for the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League. Having played in UEFA competition before with Hertha - the club where he made his Bundesliga bow, aged 19 - Stuttgart's best player in 2023/24 for crosses from open play is playing some of the best football of his career. Given he played a key role in the last two internationals before Nagelsmann named his 27-man preliminary UEFA Euro 2024 squad, it seemed to be a straight battle between him and David Raum for the left-back spot in the first XI.

Mittelstädt made 157 competitive appearances for Hertha Berlin, leaving the club in summer 2023 following their relegation to Bundesliga 2. - DFL

Plays a bit like: Christian Günter

Mittelstädt is the latest in a growing line of players to get a chance at left-back for Germany. He likes to move between defence and a more attacking role, in a similar manner to senior internationals such as Union Berlin's Robin Gosens and Freiburg captain Christian Günter. The Stuttgart No.7 arguably has most in common with the latter, including a laser-guided left foot known for picking a pass from open and set plays.

Did you know?

A year after getting his hands on the 2014/15 U19 German Cup with Hertha, Mittelstädt won the prestigious Fritz Walter bronze medal - part of the group of annual awards that has been bestowed upon the best young footballers in Germany since 2005. Previous bronze medal winners include Joshua Kimmich, Marc-André ter Stegen and Kevin-Prince Boateng.

Watch: Maxi Mittelstädt scored one of the top 5 goals on Matchday 20 of 2023/24

What they're saying

"Maxi's been a great signing for us. He's versatile, direct and gives us real momentum. Perhaps the national team can take advantage of that." - Stuttgart head coach Sebastian Hoeneß, prior to Mittelstädt's maiden call-up

"It worked well with Maxi. He always dreamed of becoming a professional and worked hard for it. He's the best example for our younger talent to follow." - Mittelstädt's former Hertha coach, Pal Dardai

"Maxi is someone who works a lot, does a lot offensively and hardly makes any mistakes defensively." - Nagelsmann upon including Mittelstädt in his Euro squad