VfB begin life after Woltemade with win

They didn’t seem like a team short of a key player, though, as they started the game against Gladbach with real vigour. Summer signing Tiago Tomás and Jamie Leweling tormented the full-backs on either flank as the Swabians looked to jump into an early lead, and put the departure of Nick Woltemade behind them.

That initial excitement was soon tempered, however, with the sight of Deniz Undav in agony in the penalty box a sobering sight for fans and players alike. Despite his efforts to continue, Undav was replaced in the 14th minute by Chris Führich.

And it appeared that Stuttgart’s attacking momentum had left with him, as Franck Honorat, Robin Hack and the marauding Joe Scally gave them a reminder that the game was still there to be won.

Sebastian Hoeneß’s men soon settled, with Tomás testing Moritz Nicolas from close range reigniting hopes of a goal before the break.

That didn’t come, and Gladbach began the second 45 in particularly determined fashion.

“We started the match really well and created a few chances," said the Stuttgart boss. "But then you could see there was a certain dip in our performance. Gladbach were better at times."

With the balance of the game swaying the visitors’ way, Hoeneß introduced summer signing Chema Andrés, who replaced captain Atakan Karazor just past the hour mark.

The towering talent slotted into Stuttgart’s midfield with the intention of offering fresh legs against a Gladbach side who were getting joy out of quick attacking transitions. Just 15 minutes after his arrival though, he morphed into a classic number nine, sniffing out the space before leaping to head home a late winner, with his finish kissing the post as it went in.

"To make my Bundesliga debut in a game like this, to score a goal, and above all, to win, all of that is fantastic," said the youngster after the match. "Now I just want to keep working hard to develop step by step".

Leweling had provided the assist for him, and proved throughout the game that he was capable of pulling his team up the pitch and creating openings. Likewise, the ease with which Tomás slotted into their attack is a reason for optimism in this early stage of the season.

As accurate as the cross was, it still needed finishing and the physical profile of 20-year-old Andrés, who stands at 6’3” (1.90m), means the Swabians will still have an aerial advantage in both boxes, even with the departure of Woltemade.

Furthermore, Stuttgart's winning reaction to losing his former strike partner, Undav, so early on, proves there's enough mettle in this side to go on and have a strong 2025/26 season.