Stuttgart launched their new season with real authority, beating third-division Hansa Rostock 4-0 at the Ostseestadion on Friday to advance in the DFB-Pokal. After a mixed pre-season that ended with a 0-1 defeat to Fulham, the result offered an early confidence boost and confirmed the squad is ready for competitive action.

The win also provided a first look at the new-look attack. Striker Dzenan Pejcinovic, signed from VfL Wolfsburg for 25 million euros, was in line to make his competitive debut for the club. Coach Sebastian Hoeneß has spoken openly about his ambitions for the 21-year-old, telling Sport Bild he expects Pejcinovic to reach the German national team. The signing adds genuine depth to a forward line where Deniz Undav and Ermedin Demirovic remain the senior options.

Demirovic himself has been the subject of persistent transfer speculation. Galatasaray submitted a 15 million euro offer, which Stuttgart rejected, while Eintracht Frankfurt were also linked. Both the player and Hoeneß have been firm in response. Demirovic stated his intention to stay and compete, and Hoeneß described him as one of the club's best players. Bilal El Khannouss faces a different situation, with the Moroccan reported to be frustrated by limited playing time, though Stuttgart have set a high asking price that has so far deterred interest.

Attention now turns to the Allianz Arena, where Stuttgart face Bayern Munich in their Bundesliga opener on August 28, a rematch of last season's DFB-Pokal final, which Bayern won 3-0.