VfB Stuttgart had to learn an important lesson after their bitter exit from the Europa League against FC Porto. Following the 0-2 defeat in the second leg and an overall score of 1-4, sporting director Fabian Wohlgemuth expressed disappointment but also optimism. "The team cannot be blamed at all. We tried everything," he said. The Swabians must quickly switch gears, as they face FC Augsburg in the Bundesliga on Sunday, where they need to maintain their chances for international competitions. The return to the Champions League after 2024/25 is a realistic goal for the fans.

Deniz Undav, the national player of VfB, spoke of sadness and disappointment but emphasized that the team still has chances in two other competitions. Particularly in the DFB-Pokal, where the semifinal against SC Freiburg is upcoming, focus is now essential. The emotions from the Europa League should be transformed into positive energy to tackle the upcoming challenges.

The matches against Porto clearly demonstrated that the team lacks efficiency and cleverness. Striker Ermedin Demirovic stated that the mentality of the Porto players, characterized by their shrewdness, should serve as an example for the Swabians. "You can see at this level what this mentality can bring," he said.

Despite the elimination, the players were celebrated by the fans, which could provide additional motivation for the remainder of the season. Coach Sebastian Hoeneß was also speechless after the match, as he had little to criticize. However, the team's poor finishing was a decisive factor that ultimately led to their exit.

For VfB Stuttgart, there are still eight Bundesliga matches left, and the team must quickly focus on the upcoming challenges to successfully conclude their season.