Demirovic Hits 12-Minute Hat-Trick as Stuttgart Beat Viking in Champions League
VfB Stuttgart opened their Champions League league-phase campaign with a 3-1 home win over Viking FK, powered by Ermedin Demirovic’s first-half hat-trick at the MHP Arena. The Bosnia and Herzegovina international struck three times in 12 minutes as Stuttgart celebrated the 133rd anniversary of the club’s foundation with three important European points.
Why the result matters
| Match | Competition | Result | Key scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| VfB Stuttgart vs Viking FK | Champions League league phase | Stuttgart 3-1 Viking | Ermedin Demirovic, 3 goals |
Sebastian Hoeness’ side had not been entirely fluent in the opening stages, but Demirovic put them ahead in the 20th minute. Angelo Stiller supplied the pass and the forward converted from close range to give Stuttgart the breakthrough.
Viking responded quickly. Zlatko Tripic levelled on a counter-attack only two minutes later, exposing an area Stuttgart would continue to identify as needing improvement. The setback did not disrupt the home side for long, however, as Demirovic and Deniz Undav combined twice before half-time.
Demirovic’s second finish was driven into the top of the net, while his third came after composed control inside the penalty area. The treble settled the contest before the break and gave Stuttgart the platform to manage the second half.
Undav had opportunities late on to add a fourth goal, but Stuttgart did not need another score. Hoeness’ team controlled the closing stages, despite Viking carrying a threat on transitions after the interval.
Demirovic said the victory was an encouraging way to begin the European campaign, with the team having achieved the essential objective of taking three points. He was pleased with his hat-trick but also accepted that Stuttgart must become more secure when possession changes hands.
The striker said the team could improve in certain moments and must be sharper in defensive transitions as the league phase develops. That assessment reflected Hoeness’ own view after a performance in which Stuttgart’s attacking quality proved decisive, but their counter-attacking vulnerability was also visible.
Focus turns to the next demands
Stuttgart now move into the next stretch of domestic and European fixtures with an early Champions League win secured. Demirovic’s finishing offers a major boost, while the defensive work against counter-attacks remains an area for the squad to address before tougher league-phase tests arrive.
