Stuttgart's early-season inconsistency has left the club at a crossroads. Three points from three Bundesliga games places them 14th, and a 1:2 defeat at Hoffenheim on September 12 compounded the sense that the team has yet to find its rhythm in the league. The loss was made more concerning by an injury to midfielder Angelo Stiller, who was forced off in the 34th minute after a collision. The club confirmed on Sunday that he suffered only a bruise, but his availability for the coming fixtures remains unclear.

Against that domestic backdrop, the Champions League provided genuine encouragement. Ermedin Demirovic started against Viking Stavanger and delivered a historic performance, scoring a hattrick in just 12 minutes to put Stuttgart in control. It was the first European hattrick by a Stuttgart player in the competition's history. Coach Sebastian Hoeneß had backed Demirovic after a strong substitute appearance against Cologne, and the striker repaid that trust emphatically.

The form of captain Deniz Undav remains a talking point. He has yet to score in four competitive appearances this season, though he contributed two assists in the Viking win. Hoeneß has defended him publicly, pointing to his reading of the game and the physical demands of carrying the captaincy while managing an Achilles issue. Undav's fellow forward Demirovic was equally supportive after the match.

Next up is a home Bundesliga fixture against Borussia Dortmund on September 19, a significant test of where this Stuttgart side currently stands.