This Wednesday, January 29, Paris Saint-Germain (22nd) take on Stuttgart (24th) at the Mercedes-Benz Arena (kick-off 9pm, broadcast on Canal+) as part of Matchday 8 of the Champions League 2024-2025 league phase. And, as before every match, here’s a look at the Parisians’ opponents.
Stuttgart’s situation –
It’s a great club in the history of soccer, and particularly in Germany, even winning the league title several times. The last of these came in 2007, before a difficult period followed. The latter was marked by two relegation battles, at the end of the 2015-2016 and 2019-202 seasons (there was a comeback in between).
Stuttgart has pulled itself out of this slump with a number of good choices, particularly during the mercato. Coach Sebastian Hoeness, who arrived in 2023, has also succeeded in establishing his philosophy. The result is a return to the top of the Bundesliga and qualification for the Champions League this season. With 24th place still up for grabs in the Bundesliga, the current 4th-placed team will be going all out to secure their place against PSG.
The 2024 summer mercato –
Source: Transfermarkt.
Departures:
Arrivals:
The winter mercato 2024/2025 –
Source: Transfermarkt.
Departures:
Arrivals:
Key statistics –
This season, Stuttgart are among the Champions League’s 16th-best attacks, with 12 goals scored (first-placed FC Barcelona are on 26, and last-placed Bologna and Young Boys Berne are on 3), and are among the 25th-best defenses, with 13 goals conceded (Inter Milan have the best defense, with 1 goal conceded, while last-placed Slovan Bratislava are on 24).
VFB’s top scorers are Enzo Millot (22-year-old attacking midfielder/winger) and Jamie Leweling (23-year-old winger) and, with 2 goals, they are among the 41st in the LDC (the first in the Champions League is Robert Lewandowski with 9 goals). Millot (26-year-old midfielder) is the German club’s top passer with 4 assists, and is among the Champions League’s 1st (along with Igor Paixão and Mohamed Salah).Enrique “In this part of the season you have to be at your physical best”.
Stuttgart’s last 5 matches –
Only German possession is shown and Stuttgart’s shots are put first (when data is available).
12/01/2025 (Ligue 1) – Augsburg/Stuttgart: 0-1. 4-4-2 formation. 58% possession. 13 shots, including 5 on target, against 8 shots (2 on target).
15/01/2025 (Ligue 1) – Stuttgart/Leipzig (10 at 85, 2-1, then 9 at 89): 2-1. 4-4-2 formation. 58% possession. 14 shots, including 6 on target, against 6 shots (3 on target).
18/01/2025 (Ligue 1) – Stuttgart/Frigbourg: 4-0. In 4-4-2. 57% possession. 12 shots, including 7 on target, against 4 shots (0 on target).
21/01/2025 (Ligue 1) – Slovan Bratislava/Stuttgart: 1-3. In 4-4-2. 60% possession. 21 shots including 7 on target against 6 shots (2 on target).
25/01/2025 (Ligue 1) – Mainz/Stuttgart: 2-0. 4-4-2. 57% possession. 10 shots including 5 on target vs. 11 shots (4 on target).
The probable line-up.
The line-up according to the press in 4-4-2:
Demirovic – Undav
Lewelling – Stiller – Karazor – Millot
Mittelstädt – Chabot – Al-Dakhil – Vagnoman
Nübel
Stuttgart’s style of play.
Sebastian Hoeness’s Stuttgart is based on high, intense play, even if it means taking risks by trying to put opponents offside. The idea is then to link up passes to create shooting situations. Clearly, we can expect a fast-paced game, and the Parisians will need to be attentive at all times to avoid being caught out or outplayed. All this in a stadium with a very hot atmosphere.
