Will HSV still come out on top? How VfB have improved since the play-offs | OneFootball

A deficit in the Bundesliga? No problem, the Stuttgart team currently thinks. The Swabians are known for late goals and comeback qualities. When the opponent already considers themselves the winner, they strike. 

In the first eleven matchdays, Sebastian Hoeneß's team has already secured ten points from behind – an impressive league best, which they currently share only with TSG Hoffenheim.

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At Hamburger SV, they might look enviously at this statistic. The promoted team has only managed to secure a single point from behind this season. Additionally, there is a scoring drought in the offense: With only nine goals in eleven games, HSV has scored less than half of VfB's goals (20).

The two teams are currently worlds apart. While the Swabians are represented in three competitions (Bundesliga, EL, DFB-Pokal), for Hamburg, it's all about survival in the Bundesliga. The squad value of HSV is around 106.5 million euros, while Stuttgart's is currently close to 340 million euros. 

It wasn't that long ago that the two clubs seemed to meet on equal footing. In the 2022/23 season, the Swabians were already heading towards relegation, Bruno Labbadia was dismissed, and Sebastian Hoeneß was appointed. 

From the last place in the table, they went into the relegation and faced Hamburger SV, who finally wanted to leave the 2. Bundesliga. Instead, there were quite clear VfB victories (3:0 at home, 3:1 in Hamburg). 

For Stuttgart, it was the starting signal for a high-flying journey that continues to this day. In the following season (2023/24), they became vice-champions ahead of Bayern Munich and played in the Champions League in 2024. Real Madrid, Juventus, and Bergamo were just some of the opponents.

The new coach, who develops players, a bold offensive tactic where attackers can shine and then generate high transfer revenues, as well as a good sense for necessary new signings, catapulted the club upwards.

By winning the DFB-Pokal in May 2025, the Swabians qualified again for international competition this season. The good work of Sebastian Hoeneß does not go unnoticed by today's opponent either. "My assistant coaches and I have studied VfB very intensively in recent years," Merlin Polzin is quoted by the 'Hamburger Morgenpost'. 

"Since the relegation against us, VfB has developed fantastically under Sebastian Hoeneß, both in terms of style and players. It will definitely be a very challenging opponent," added the HSV coach. 

An opponent that has little in common with the relegation team. Stuttgart had to let go of several top stars. Hiroki Ito (FC Bayern), Serhou Guirassy, Waldemar Anton (both BVB), Wataru Endo (Liverpool FC), and Enzo Millot (Al-Ahli) left the club. Looking at the starting eleven from the relegation second leg, only Chris Führich, Josha Vagnoman, and Atakan Karazor remain. 

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All three, however, currently play no major role. Instead, other players are shining. Foremost is Deniz Undav, who has scored six goals in seven Bundesliga matches. The squad depth also helps VfB with the tight schedule of Bundesliga, Europa League, and DFB-Pokal. 

They travel to Hamburg with confidence, while Hamburger SV continues to struggle for stability. Thus, it is a duel with reversed signs: In the past, it was Hamburg that set the tone as a big name – today, it is Stuttgart that appears with self-assurance and joy of playing.

HSV fights for survival, VfB plays for Europe. The question now is: Will Hamburg manage a breakthrough – or will Stuttgart continue its high-flying journey undeterred?

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.

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