VfB Stuttgart began the 2026/27 Bundesliga season with a chastening 5-1 defeat at Bayern Munich, a result that exposed both the gap between the two clubs and the scale of Stuttgart's current problems. The Allianz Arena loss was heavier than it might have been, with goalkeeper Fabian Bredlow producing a string of saves that, as captain Deniz Undav admitted, prevented an even more embarrassing scoreline. Trainer Sebastian Hoeneß acknowledged his side must improve, though he framed Bayern trips as near-impossible benchmarks rather than reliable form guides.

The defeat lands at the worst possible time given Stuttgart's injury situation. Nikolas Nartey, who had emerged as a surprise starter at right-back during pre-season, lasted just nine minutes of the DFB-Pokal opener against Hansa Rostock before pulling up with a hamstring problem. He joins a long list of absentees that includes Dan-Axel Zagadou, Dennis Seimen, Lorenz Assignon, and several others, stretching the squad thin across a season that also includes Champions League football.

Off the pitch, the transfer picture is only partially resolved. Ermedin Demirovic rejected a move to Galatasaray and will stay, while Josha Vagnoman has been blocked from leaving due to the Nartey injury. The situation around Bilal El Khannouss is more complicated. The Moroccan midfielder, unhappy with his reduced role under Hoeneß, had been linked with Newcastle United, but a deal looks unlikely to materialise before the window closes. Stuttgart face FC Koeln at home on September 4, a fixture they will need to win to relieve early-season pressure.