A 2-0 away win at Paderborn on Saturday gave VfB Stuttgart a much-needed lift after a difficult run in the Bundesliga, where back-to-back defeats against Dortmund and Hoffenheim had raised early questions about Sebastian Hoeneß's side. The result steadied the ship, but with six points from five games and a place at 11th in the table, Stuttgart remain in a position that demands more consistency if they are to push toward the European places this season.

Much of the focus around the club has centred on Dzenan Pejcinovic. The 21-year-old striker, signed for 25 million euros from Wolfsburg in the summer, made an instant impression with a hat-trick in the DFB-Pokal against Rostock but struggled to replicate that form in the league. As the kicker interview highlighted, Pejcinovic acknowledged the difficult spell openly, and his absence from Jürgen Klopp's Nations League squad served as a clear signal that more is expected. The Paderborn win may help him rebuild confidence at a critical point.

Off the pitch, Pejcinovic also confirmed he has parted ways with his agent following disagreements after his transfer, with his father now handling his affairs. It is an unusual situation for a player still finding his feet at a new club.

Attention now turns to Europe. Stuttgart travel to face Slovan Bratislava in the Champions League on Wednesday, a fixture that offers a genuine opportunity to build momentum across both competitions.