Werkself review #B04VfB: Honest words and looking ahead

Summary: Game already decided before the break

The visitors made the better start to the game: VfB Stuttgart took the lead through Jamie Leweling on seven minutes. After a rather uneventful phase, Maximilian Mittelstädt made it 2-0 from the penalty spot (29'), and Stuttgart went to increase the lead to 4-0 just before half-time with a double whammy from Leweling (45') and Deniz Undav (45+2’). In the second half, now with a number of substitutes on the pitch, the Werkself managed to regain their composure somewhat and were awarded a penalty that Alejandro Grimaldo converted to make it 4-1 (66'). No goals were scored at either end after that.

Reaction: "Sorry for this evening and thanks for the support"

Kasper Hjulmand summed up the game after the final whistle: "Of course, the result is very disappointing. We were simply too poor in the first few minutes and didn't play well. Stuttgart put in a better performance and deserved to win. Against teams like that, it's normally important to play on the front foot and react quickly after losing possession. We didn't manage to do that today. We hope to do better against Hamburg on Tuesday."

Alejandro Grimaldo spoke to Werkself TV: "The game was really tough. With so many goals in the first half, it was difficult to score goals after the break. We trained really well this week but today we started the game really bad. We played without passion." Jarell Quansah said: "We were miles off it in the first half. You wait so long for the first game in 2026 and we show up like and it’s not to the level, particularly off the ball. We’ve got to show a lot more fight if we’re going to pick up points in the league. You can't put in a performance like that, especially in front of our own fans and I can only apologise to them, to be honest."

Jonas Hofmann also shared his views on his social media: "Absolutely not a good start to the new year, even in this way, we don't need to talk about it or justify ourselves!" And the Leverkusen number seven added: "A big sorry for this evening and an even bigger thank you for the support - I hope you'll continue to cheer us on to victory in Hamburg!"

What the papers say: "Stuttgart close file on bogey team"

The kicker wrote: "VfB Stuttgart close the file on bogey team Leverkusen' in the first game of 2026," in reference to the record of 29 previous encounters with just one defeat and in particular the tough battles of the recent past, where the Swabians were often close to victory, but the Werkself always avoided defeat and either drew or even turned games round at the last minute. The Bild Zeitung reported: "This time, the bitter defeat in the second half could not be averted despite Grimaldo's penalty to make it 4-1 (66')." The report continued: "VfB, on the other hand, produced an outstanding display with their Germany stars scoring all four goals."

Personnel: First start for Fernández

Despite the result, there was some good news: Ezequiel Fernández was back in the starting eleven for the first time since suffering an injury at the end of October. At the end of the year at RB Leipzig (3-1), the Argentinian made his comeback with a brief substitute appearance against the team from Saxony. Now he was back in the starting line-up for the first time and played 67 minutes.

Alejandro Grimaldo equalled his goals tally from last season with his penalty and now has five goals and four assists.

Stats: 16 shots but only the penalty ends up in the net

The Werkself had just over 57 per cent possession, won 47 per cent of duels and had 16 attempts on goal (Stuttgart ten).

Coming up: Hinrunde ends at HSV

There’s not much time for licking wounds. League action continues in just three days' time on Tuesday, 13 January (kick-off: 20:30 CET). The Werkself are away to newly promoted Hamburg SV on matchday 17 at the end of the Hinrunde with the Bundesliga Rückrunde kicking off at TSG Hoffenheim next Saturday, 17 January (kick-off: 15:30 CET).