Demirovic's Hat-Trick Leads Stuttgart to Champions League Victory
Ermedin Demirovic marked VfB Stuttgart’s 133rd birthday with a ruthless hat-trick as Sebastian Hoeness’ side opened their Champions League league phase with a 3-1 win over Viking FK at the MHP Arena.
The Bosnian striker scored all three Stuttgart goals in a devastating 12-minute spell in the first half, turning a shaky start into a statement victory and giving the Bundesliga club exactly the launch they wanted in Europe.
Slow start, brutal response
Stuttgart began nervously, tentative in possession and vulnerable whenever Viking sprang forward. The visitors sensed it and broke with purpose, testing the home crowd’s patience on what was supposed to be a celebratory night.
Then Demirovic intervened.
On 20 minutes, he slipped into space and reacted quickest to a sharp, threaded pass from Angelo Stiller, poking the ball home to settle Stuttgart’s jitters and ignite the stadium.
The lead barely lasted.
Just two minutes later, Viking sliced through on the counter, and Zlatko Tripic finished clinically to level the match and remind Stuttgart that this new Champions League format will punish every lapse.
That equaliser could have rattled Hoeness’ side. Instead, it woke them up.
A 12-minute demolition
Demirovic and Deniz Undav began to find each other, and Viking simply couldn’t live with the movement of Stuttgart’s front line.
Combining smartly with Undav, Demirovic struck again, this time thundering his finish into the roof of the net. Confidence surged through the home side. Viking, who had looked so dangerous in transition, suddenly found themselves pinned back and chasing shadows.
The pressure didn’t relent.
Demirovic completed his hat-trick before the interval, once more linking with Undav and then showing ice-cold composure inside the penalty area. A deft first touch, assured control, and a calm finish underlined a forward playing with complete belief. Three goals in 12 minutes. Viking stunned. Stuttgart in command.
“The win is a nice way to kick off the Champions League campaign,” Demirovic said afterwards. “We’ve picked up three points and I’m pleased about my three goals.”
Control, but warnings in transition
The second half belonged largely to Stuttgart in terms of territory and control, yet it was not without alarms. Viking continued to threaten on the break, especially when Stuttgart overcommitted and left space to attack.
Demirovic, despite his heroics, was quick to acknowledge that concern, sharing the same message as his head coach.
“We also know that we can do better in one or two situations and need to tighten up in our defensive transitions,” he admitted. “But on the whole, we achieved our objective for this evening.”
Hoeness’ team managed the closing stages with maturity, keeping the ball, slowing the tempo and denying Viking the chaos they needed to mount a late comeback. Undav squandered chances to stretch the scoreline, but by then the outcome felt secure.
A striker in form, a team with intent
For Stuttgart, the night delivered exactly what it promised: three points, a powerful attacking display, and a centre-forward in lethal form as the European schedule begins to bite.
Demirovic’s treble not only decided this contest; it sent a clear message about Stuttgart’s ambitions as the league phase toughens in the weeks ahead.
