VfB Stuttgart began their Champions League campaign against an unusual opponent: Norwegian champions Viking Stavanger have been jointly managed by Bjarte Lunde Aarsheim and Morten Jensen since January 2021. The duo led the club to its first league title in 34 years last season.
Sebastian Hoeneß's side, with the 44-year-old coach at the helm, hosted Stavanger at the MHPArena on Wednesday. For VfB, the start in Europe's premier competition is the pinnacle of a remarkable rise. Currently, the club sits ninth in the Bundesliga table with three points from two matches. Their record shows five goals scored and six conceded.
Bjarte Lunde Aarsheim (51) and Morten Jensen (46) were previously assistants under 69-year-old Bjarne Berntsen. Since taking joint charge, results have been exceptional, with the Norwegian league title being their crowning achievement. VfB head coach Sebastian Hoeneß was impressed by the model. "It seems to be working," said the Stuttgart boss. When asked if he could imagine a similar setup at his club, he replied: "I wouldn't rule it out." So far, however, no assistant coach has approached him with such a demand.
The Norwegian side relies on experienced and talented individuals. Captain Zlatko Tripić has been particularly outstanding this season. The 33-year-old attacker, a former Fürth player, has registered 22 scorer points in 19 league games. Leading the line is 26-year-old Danish centre-forward Peter Christiansen, valued at around five million euros. Stavanger hopes to cause a surprise in the Champions League, similar to FK Bodø/Glimt's run to the knockout stages last season.
While the Champions League kicks off, the Bundesliga season continues in parallel. VfB trails league leaders FC Augsburg by three points. The next challenge comes quickly with an away match against 16th-placed 1899 Hoffenheim on Saturday, September 12th. The full schedule can be checked on our fixtures page.
The squad is dealing with several absences. Five players are currently sidelined with injuries: Dan Zagadou, Lorenz Assignon, Luca Jaquez, Tiago Tomás, and Dennis Seimen. The latest injury updates are available on the injuries list. These absences test the squad's depth as the club competes on three fronts.
Ahead of the match, Hoeneß also praised the Norwegian national team's performance at the summer World Cup, where stars like Erling Haaland and Martin Ødegaard shone. His team must now prepare for the tactical challenge posed by a side with two heads on the bench. Stuttgart needs to solidify a defense that has conceded six goals in the first two league games. The next opportunity comes this weekend in Sinsheim.
