Stuttgart have given their season an important boost, beating FC Köln 4-1 at the MHPArena on Friday evening to move to seven points from two Bundesliga games. The win matters because it arrives after a difficult start: a 1-5 opening-day defeat at Bayern Munich had left the club under immediate pressure, with captain Deniz Undav admitting the scoreline could have been even heavier without an outstanding performance from goalkeeper Fabian Bredlow.

The result also comes at the end of a transfer window that reshaped the squad considerably. Midfielder Chema Andres joined Brighton for up to 23 million euros after just one season, while winger Badredine Bouanani departed on loan to Rangers with a purchase option of around 19 million euros, having struggled to establish himself under Sebastian Hoeneß. Young prospect Mirza Catovic moved to Barcelona's second team on loan. The departures thinned a squad already carrying injury concerns, and Hoeneß will need depth as the fixture list intensifies.

Not everything went against Stuttgart in the window. Winger Jamie Leweling stayed despite serious interest from AS Roma, who raised their offer to over 35 million euros on deadline day, and late attention from Borussia Dortmund. Leweling's decision to remain gives Hoeneß a reliable attacking option for both the Bundesliga and the Champions League, where Stuttgart face opponents including Atletico Madrid, Inter Milan, and Galatasaray. The next test arrives on September 9, when Viking visit the MHPArena in the Champions League group stage.