Stuttgart have performed well in this year's Europa League, winning four of their seven matches so far. - © Alexander Hassenstein

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VfB Stuttgart vs. Young Boys: UEFA Europa League LIVE blog and team news

24.01.2026

VfB Stuttgart host Young Boys in their final UEFA Europa League league phase game on Thursday (kick-off: 9.00pm CET) as they look to bounce back from their defeat last week against AS Roma.

The Swabians were beaten 2-0 in Rome ending a three-game winning run in the competition and a seven-game unbeaten burst across all tournaments. However, while a place in the top eight is now likely beyond them - they must win here and hope several other results go their way - they can still earn themselves an easier draw by finishing higher up the standings.

Sebastian Hoeneß's men bounced back from defeat in the Italian capital with a commanding 3-0 win at Borussia Mönchengladbach on Matchday 19. Deniz Undav and Jamie Leweling both got on the scoresheet while Alexander Nübel saved an early penalty. Bilal El Khannouss made his first appearance for Stuttgart after the African Cup of Nations on Sunday, and could feature against Young Boys after completing his Europa League suspension.

Stuttgart

Thu, 29.01 20:00

Young Boys

Europa League
League phase, Matchday 8 League phase, Matchday 8 MHP Arena

Visitors struggling

Young Boys are winless in five and come into this game having lost 4-1 to FC Thun in the Swiss Super League. They have former Mainz man Edimilson Fernandes, and Armin Gigovic, who is on loan from Holstein Kiel, in their ranks.

Bouncing back

Stuttgart responded to defeat in Rome with a dominant display in their win over Gladbach on Bundesliga Matchday 19, making it six games without defeat in the league.

1:01

Borussia Mönchengladbach 0-3 Stuttgart - highlights

Deniz Undav was on the scoresheet as Sebastian Hoenß's side won comfortably at Gladbach.

Hoeneß hoping for some Sunday success

VfB, unbeaten in their last five Bundesliga matches, face Mönchengladbach at Borussia-Park on Sunday, and will be keen to pick up a win ahead of their crucial and final Europa League match on Thursday, especially after the recent loss versus Roma, where they were a little unlucky not to earn a draw. “Even though it’s a quick turnaround, we still believe that we can build on our good showing in Rome,” said Sebastian Hoeneß.

Head-to-head

Stuttgart faced Young Boys in the UEFA Champions League a little over 12 months ago, triumphing 5-1 on a memorable night at the MHPArena. VfB also beat the Bern outfit 3-0 in the 2010/11 Europa League group stage before losing 4-2 in Switzerland two and a half months later.

Young Boys - the story so far

The Swiss Super League side are in a much more precarious position than their opponents, with only nine points from their seven league phase games so far. They have beaten Ludogorets, FCSB and Lille, but defeats to Panathinaikos, PAOK, Aston Villa and Lyon have left them in 22nd spot in the table - and in need of a result to confirm a knockout phase play-off spot.

Stuttgart - the story so far

Despite Thursday’s 2-0 defeat at Roma, Sebastian Hoeneß’s side head into their final league phase game in a strong position. Victories over Celta Vigo, Feyenoord, Go Ahead Eagles and Maccabi Tel Aviv have left them in 13th place on 12 points, just two adrift of the automatic last-16 spots. A place in the knockout round play-offs is already secured, but VfB will be going all out for a top-eight finish against Young Boys.