Stuttgart Celebrate First Bundesliga Win with Four-Goal Rout of Cologne

A week after suffering a 5-1 lesson at Bayern Munich, VfB Stuttgart responded with a dominant 4-1 victory over Cologne in their first home match of the Bundesliga season.

Bilal El Khannouss broke the deadlock in the 39th minute with a solo run through the Cologne defense. The Morocco international also helped create Stuttgart’s second goal, scored by new signing Grischa Prömel in the 60th minute. Ermedin Demirovic extended the lead in the 75th, and Josha Vagnoman completed the scoring with a volley in the 90th.

Stuttgart could have won by more. Vagnoman hit the crossbar from close range in the ninth minute, and Dzenan Pejcinovic struck the bar with a header shortly afterward. Deniz Undav and Prömel also missed chances before the hosts finally took control.

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We are extremely happy about what was happening out there again. Now the season is really getting started.

Cologne applied pressure after halftime and forced Stuttgart goalkeeper Bredlow into several saves. But Prömel’s goal ended the visitors’ hopes. Ramon Hendriks’ own goal gave Cologne a consolation in the 81st minute, before Vagnoman restored Stuttgart’s three-goal advantage.

The match drew 60,000 spectators, with Germany coach Jürgen Klopp among those watching. Stuttgart coach Sebastian Hoeneß said the support had moved him after fans marched to the stadium in the traditional Cannstatt caravan. “The people are really enthusiastic, more and more. Yes, that moves me,” he said.

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The people are really enthusiastic, more and more. Yes, that moves me.