What makes VfB Stuttgart so strong ahead of Bayern clash

VfB Stuttgart are back on the big stage - at least, they're on the way there. While the Europa League has been a sobering experience of late, in the Bundesliga the tradition-rich club has emerged as a serious contender for the Champions League. Ahead of the clash with FC Bayern on Sunday (17:30 CEST), one thing is certain: Manuel Neuer and Co. will face opponents who are currently more solid, variable and confident than almost any other German team. Find out what the German record champions need to prepare for in our opposition profile.

With the exception of the disappointing Europa League round of 16 tie against Porto (2-1 and 2-0 defeats), there's been little to criticise VfB Stuttgart for in recent weeks. True, they conceded two goals in stoppage time in the crunch match against Borussia Dortmund to suffer a painful 2-0 defeat, allowing their direct rivals to pull slightly ahead in the table. However, with 56 points from 29 games, coach Sebastian Hoeneß' side are still fully on course for the Champions League.

In the remaining five matches, every point will count for the club from Bad Cannstatt, especially as RB Leipzig (also 56 points) are breathing down their necks and Bayer 04 Leverkusen (52) still sense an outsider's chance in the race to qualify for Europe's premier club competition. Three wins from the last four Bundesliga games underline Stuttgart’s positive trend - they're clearly on form going into the run-in.

Tactically, VfB Stuttgart are extremely flexible under Hoeneß. Sometimes the coach opts for a back three, sometimes a back four, but he usually goes with a 4-2-3-1 formation. In front of FC Bayern loanee Alexander Nübel you’ll usually find back-line boss Jeff Chabot, with Ramon Hendriks or Finn Jeltsch defending alongside him depending on the formation. Should VfB line up with three centre-backs, Luca Jaquez is also an option.

Maximilian Mittelstädt (left) and Lorenz Assignon (right) are established at full-back. In defensive midfield, there's currently no avoiding summer signing Chema from Real Madrid and former Bayern player Angelo Stiller. In Munich, however, the strong-tackling captain Atakan Karazor could get the nod - especially when it comes to disrupting Bayern's powerful attack early on and consistently defending transitions into midfield.

Up front, Hoeneß has high-calibre options in terms of both quality and quantity. Top scorer Deniz Undav has racked up 23 goals and 13 assists in 40 appearances this season - he's undoubtedly the focal point and key player in the VfB attack. However, the Germany international will miss the match as he's sitting out a suspension after being shown a fifth yellow card. Chris Führung (five goals, seven assists) is a first-choice pick on the left wing, with Jamie Leweling likely to start on the right.

Nikolas Nartey is expected to start in the number ten role. With Undav out, Ermedin Demirović is likely to take over at centre-forward. The physically robust number nine would ideally act as a playmaker in the clash with Bayern, initiating Stuttgart's dangerous transition moments alongside the fast wingers.

Vincent Kompany's team would be well advised to look beyond VfB's potential starting XI and also be aware of their upcoming opponents' substitutes. Stuttgart have already notched up 23 goal contributions from the bench this season (13 goals, ten assists) - only FC Bayern (28) surpass this figure in the league. This emphasises the depth and quality of Hoeneß's side.

Unsurprisingly, VfB also have excellent reinforcements on the bench: players such as Tiago Tomas, Bilal El Khannouss and Josha Vagnoman can provide fresh impetus at any time and change the course of a game. Especially in the final phase, this could give Stuttgart an extra burst of pace and power.

Despite the occasional rotation in both formation and personnel, VfB have been consistently strong defensively so far. In their emphatic home win against Hamburger SV (4-0), Stuttgart secured their 11th clean sheet in the league this season - only Borussia Dortmund have not conceded more often (13). A look at the stats for the second half of the season also speaks for Stuttgart’s strong form: with just 13 goals conceded, VfB currently boast the best defence of the Rückrunde. The coordination in the back line and the collective defence make it difficult for any opponent to create clear chances.

A real litmus test

All of this makes it clear that Harry Kane and Co. face a real test at the Allianz Arena on Sunday - and opponents brimming with confidence going into this crunch encounter. VfB Stuttgart want to underline their Champions League ambitions. For FC Bayern, the clash will be a real yardstick against one of the teams of the moment in the Bundesliga - and in the title race with BVB, they could also wrap up the championship on their own turf.

The facts on the clash against Stuttgart: