VfB Stuttgart are preparing for their home match against 1. FC Cologne on the second matchday of the 2026/27 Bundesliga season with an expected tactical tweak. Head coach Sebastian Hoeneß is planning a return to a 4-2-3-1 formation after recently using a 3-4-3 setup.
The team approaches the fixture from a difficult position, sitting 18th in the Bundesliga standings with zero points after an opening day loss. Their goal difference stands at minus four, having scored once and conceded five times. They are already three points behind leaders Bayern Munich.
Sebastian Hoeneß is likely to rely on a familiar core. Alexander Bredlow is expected in goal. The back four should consist of Josha Vagnoman, Maximilian Jeltsch, Anthony Chabot, and Maximilian Mittelstädt. The defensive midfield duo is set to be Grischa Prömel and Angelo Stiller. The wide attacking roles could go to Tiago Tomas and Chris Führich, with the latter available again after an ankle issue. The number ten position may be handed to Luka Pejcinovic, who is tipped to start again this season. Leading the line will most likely be Deniz Undav.
On the bench, backup goalkeeper Marius Funk will be joined by outfield players Ameen Al-Dakhil, Ramon Hendriks, Leonidas Stergiou, Badrerine Bouanani, Bilal El Khannouss, Atakan Karazor, Jamie Leweling, and Ermedin Demirovic. A decision is still pending on the right wing, as both Tiago Tomas and Jamie Leweling had missed parts of pre-season training.
The squad situation is tight. Coach Hoeneß provided Kicker with a long list of absentees: "Es fehlen Arevalo (Trainingsrückstand nach Rückenproblemen), Assignon (Aufbautraining nach Schulter-OP), Diehl (Oberschenkelverletzung), Drljaca (nicht berücksichtigt), Jaquez (Trainingsrückstand nach Adduktorenproblemen), Malanga (nicht berücksichtigt), Nartey (Oberschenkelverletzung), Sauer (Trainingsrückstand nach Oberschenkelverletzung), Seimen (Sehnenverletzung im Oberschenkel), Yigit (nicht berücksichtigt), Zagadou (Oberschenkelverletzung)."
Six of these players, Dan Zagadou, Dennis Seimen, Jeremy Arevalo, Leo Sauer, Lorenz Assignon, and Luca Jaquez, are also listed on the club's current injuries page. Their absence significantly limits Hoeneß's tactical options.
The shift back to a 4-2-3-1 is a reaction to the poor defensive display on the opening matchday. "Ein 4-2-3-1 statt des jüngsten 3-4-3 ist erwartbar," Hoeneß said. With this formation, the coach hopes for more defensive stability and better control through the centre of the pitch. The system plays to the strengths of players like Stiller and Prömel in defensive midfield while also providing clear attacking channels for the offensively-minded wide players.
The tactical recalibration is urgently needed to stop the negative trend and secure the first points of the campaign. A look at the full current squad shows that, despite the injuries, there is still enough quality available for a home victory.
Immediately after the Cologne fixture, VfB look ahead to their next competitive match. An away game at TSG 1899 Hoffenheim awaits on Saturday, 12 September 2026. Hoffenheim currently occupies 12th place in the table. This encounter presents the next test for the defensive improvement demanded from Sebastian Hoeneß's team.
