Europa League playoffs
Stuttgart loses – and is still in the round of 16
Updated February 26, 2026 – 8:51 p.mReading time: 2 minutes
VfB Stuttgart has reached the round of 16 of the Europa League. Even a defeat in the playoff second leg against Celtic didn’t change that.
Despite a defeat against Celtic Glasgow, VfB Stuttgart can celebrate reaching the round of 16 of the Europa League. The Swabians lost 0-1 (0-1) to the Scottish record champions in the second leg of the playoff round on Thursday evening. Since VfB had won the first leg in Glasgow 4-1 the previous week, the narrow defeat was of no consequence.
After the two duels with the Scots, Stuttgart’s European Cup journey will continue against a Portuguese team on March 12th and 19th. On Friday the draw will decide whether VfB meets Sporting Braga or FC Porto, both of which qualified directly for the round of the best 16 teams. The last time Stuttgart reached a European Cup round of 16 was in the 2012/2013 season. The mandatory Bundesliga program against VfL Wolfsburg awaits on Sunday.
The strong performance in the first leg led to great euphoria in and around the club. VfB coach Sebastian Hoeneß nevertheless took his team to task. “It doesn’t help anyone if you just get on with things,” emphasized the 43-year-old. According to Hoeneß, his team must “show their best side”.
At first that didn’t work at all. Without the defense chief Jeff Chabot, who was suspended, the VfB defense was taken by surprise by the guests’ first attack. Celtic player McCowan remained ice cold in front of the goal. After 28 seconds, Stuttgart was already behind.
VfB then increasingly took control against the still courageous Scots, but the Swabians were not really dangerous. On the one hand, Glasgow, which had new positions in eight positions compared to the first leg, defended in a disciplined manner. On the other hand, unlike a week ago, Deniz Undav and Co. often acted too imprecisely in the final third.
It was only in the second half that VfB had better chances to score. The supposed equalizers from Chris Führich (68th) and Deniz Undav (75th) were withdrawn due to offside positions.
