VfB Stuttgart has suffered a squad setback ahead of their Bundesliga home match against 1. FC Köln. Winger Tiago Tomás sustained a minor muscle injury in training on Wednesday and will miss the fixture on Friday.
The injury to Tiago Tomás was confirmed by head coach Sebastian Hoeneß at Thursday's press conference. "Tiago suffered a minor muscle injury in training yesterday," said the VfB boss. The Portuguese player, who started the first two competitive games of the 2026/27 season, is expected to be sidelined until after the upcoming international break. This news comes at an inopportune time for VfB, who sit 18th in the table with 0 points after one matchday.
The absence of Tiago Tomás presents a tactical challenge for Sebastian Hoeneß. The 24-year-old was a fixture on the right wing in the first two matches of the season. His dynamism and direct play will now be missing from the attack. VfB has scored one goal so far this season but conceded five, resulting in a goal difference of minus four. Hoeneß must now find an alternative from the existing squad to fill the gap. The team is already three points behind leaders Bayern Munich in the standings.
The coach has several options to consider for the position. A reshuffle in midfield or the use of another winger from the squad's depth are possibilities. VfB's current injury list is already lengthy, as a look at our injuries page shows. Alongside Tomás, Dan Zagadou, Dennis Seimen, Jeremy Arevalo, Leo Sauer, Lorenz Assignon, and Luca Jaquez are also sidelined.
The prognosis for the winger's return is relatively short. Tomás will only be out for the Köln match and the immediate period following. The club's medical department expects him to resume training after the September international break. It is a minor muscle injury not expected to cause a long-term absence.
This assessment is important for planning the coming weeks. VfB has a full schedule after the break with further Bundesliga matches and possible cup engagements. Tomás's full recovery by then would provide a positive boost for a team urgently in need of points. The current league situation of zero wins, zero draws, and one loss from one game demands a quick response.
Friday's match at the MHPArena takes on an added dimension due to the injury news. VfB Stuttgart faces 1. FC Köln, who are sixth in the table after one match. For the Swabians, it is the first home game of the season, and the pressure to quickly forget the opening defeat is high. The team must cope without one of its most attacking players while the defense needs to be more solid after conceding five goals.
Sebastian Hoeneß's tactical preparation in the final training sessions before the match has now changed. The planned lineup must be adjusted. The remaining players must collectively compensate for Tomás's missing creativity and speed. A win against Köln would be hugely important to climb out of the relegation zone and build early-season momentum. All information on the rest of the season can be found on our fixtures page.
VfB Stuttgart's next opportunity to earn points is the home match against 1. FC Köln on September 4, 2026.
