VfB Stuttgart vs. Celta Vigo preview: Die Schwaben welcome Spanish visitors to open European campaign

VfB Stuttgart host Celta Vigo at MHPArena on Thursday night as both sides launch their Europa League journeys.

VfB Stuttgart

Stuttgart are competing in back-to-back European tournaments for the first time in nearly 15 years, after facing Europe’s elite last season in the Champions League.

After managing just three wins from eight group matches, a step down to the Europa League offers Sebastian Hoeneß’s side a much more realistic chance of progression. 

After opening the new campaign with two defeats, VfB have steadied themselves, with a 2-0 win over St. Pauli highlighting improvements at both ends of the pitch.

The main concern lies in a poor historical record against Spanish clubs – nine defeats in their last 15 meetings, with only two wins in that span of matches. 

Team News

Ermedin Demirovic will lead the line, aiming to extend his streak of goal contributions to four consecutive games. Deniz Undav remains sidelined with a knee problem, while Leonidas Stergiou is out with an ankle injury.

Chema Andres impressed against St. Pauli and could keep his place.

Predicted lineup – 4-2-3-1: Nübel – Assignon, Jeltsch, Chabot, Mittelstädt – Chema, Stiller – Tomas, El Khannouss, Leweling – Demirovic

Celta Vigo

Stuttgart’s Galician visitors return to European competition after a nine-year absence, having secured seventh place in La Liga last season. Their last Europa League appearance saw them reach the semi-finals in 2017, narrowly losing to Manchester United.

Celta have also enjoyed past continental runs, including two UEFA Cup quarter-finals and a Champions League round of 16 appearance in the 2000s. 

However, their current domestic form is a worry. Claudio Giraldez’s side are winless this season, with their last five La Liga matches all ending 1-1. While the threat of a relegation battle looms, Celta will hope the Europa League provides a welcome distraction.

Team News

Iago Aspas is expected to start, with the veteran forward eyeing the chance to become the sixth-oldest goalscorer in Europa League history. 

Marcos Alonso and Williot Swedberg are both ruled out.

Predicted lineup – 3-4-3: Radu – Rodriguez, Dominguez, Alonso – Rueda, Moriba, Sotelo, Mingueza – Aspas, Zaragoza – Iglesias