Tactical Analysis: VfB Stuttgart 2020/21

Having been relegated to the Bundesliga 2 at the end of the 2018/19 season, the future was not looking particularly good for Stuttgart fans. They had only come up to the Bundesliga two years prior, and in their first season, managed an impressive 7th-place finish. They then slumped down to 16th in the league the following season and lost to Union Berlin in the play-offs. They were back to square one, back into 2016. 

However, another resurgence has seen them win the Bundesliga 2, and return to the Bundesliga in fighting fashion. They currently sit eighth in the Bundesliga, and have only lost once in their first six games back; a run which included a win against Hertha Berlin.

This analysis will take a look at how Stuttgart have turned to a five at the back, and taken on the spirit of the high intensity Bundesliga, to gather ahead of steam as they look to kick on from here, and not slip back into the old habits which took them down only two years ago.

Pressing high with 5 at the back