Stuttgart hold Atlético Madrid to 1-1 draw as Hoeneß hails 'incredible' first half
Stuttgart's European run continues with a point against Atlético
VfB Stuttgart extended their unbeaten start to the Champions League league phase with a 1-1 draw against Atlético Madrid on Tuesday night, and the mood in the Stuttgart camp was one of pride mixed with frustration.
Head coach Sebastian Hoeneß cut a figure of mixed emotions as he digested the performance in the mixed zone with UEFA.tv at full-time.
"I am proud of the performance of the team. Our first half was incredible," Hoeneß said. "We showed character, and to be honest, a two-goal lead would have been possible with the [first-half] chances we made."
The boss was quick to identify the turning point: "The goal [we conceded] after 90 seconds in the second half was too fast, then the game looked a bit more open."
Stuttgart were then reduced in numbers, but refused to buckle. "After the red card it was a game on, one goal, and we had some chances to win, that's why there is some disappointment," Hoeneß summarized.
Man of the match Chris Führich echoed his coach's sentiments, insisting he took more pride from the display than regret from the result.
"We played a really good game from the beginning, and now we can take some of the positives and look forward now," Führich said. "I think we deserve more, we were the better team and had more chances. In the end it feels like we lost two points."
Contrast with the Bundesliga
The point continues a sharp contrast between Stuttgart's European and domestic form. According to reporting on 18 October 2026, Hoeneß's side had won both of their opening Champions League fixtures — defeating Viking Stavanger and Slovan Bratislava — while struggling for momentum in the Bundesliga, where forward Deniz Undav had admitted the team were "not a top team at the moment" after failing to score in six league appearances.
Ahead of the Atlético tie, Hoeneß had also confirmed on 19 October 2026 that left-back Maximilian Mittelstädt had largely recovered from a heel laceration and returned to training, with a squad return possible for the clash. Niko Nartey and Ameen Al-Dakhil had also returned to training.