Demirovic's Hat-Trick Leads Stuttgart to Champions League Victory

Ermedin Demirovic chose Stuttgart’s 133rd birthday to deliver the perfect party piece.

The Bosnian striker hit a ruthless hat-trick as VfB Stuttgart opened their Champions League league phase with a 3-1 win over Viking FK at the MHP Arena, turning a shaky start into a statement European night.

Slow start, brutal response

Stuttgart looked nervous early on. Passes went astray, Viking found space on the break, and the Bundesliga side struggled to find any rhythm in front of an expectant home crowd.

Then Demirovic stepped in.

On 20 minutes, he slipped into the box at exactly the right moment, reading Angelo Stiller’s clever pass and poking the ball home to settle the tension and give Sebastian Hoeness’ team the lead.

The relief barely had time to register.

Two minutes later, Viking hit back on the counter, Zlatko Tripic racing away and punishing Stuttgart to level the game at 1-1. The MHP Arena briefly fell flat. Stuttgart’s defence looked vulnerable, their transitions loose, and Viking sensed uncertainty.

That was as good as it got for the visitors.

A 12-minute masterclass

The equaliser seemed to jolt Stuttgart into life, and Demirovic took over the contest with the kind of authority that defines European campaigns.

Linking up sharply with Deniz Undav, he restored the lead with a thumping finish that flew into the roof of the net, a strike that underlined both his confidence and his clean technique. Viking’s back line, compact until then, suddenly looked stretched and reactive.

Demirovic wasn’t done.

Again combining with Undav, he produced the pick of the bunch before half-time. Inside a crowded penalty area, he showed immaculate close control, took his time where others might have snatched at the chance, and rolled in his third with icy composure to complete a 12-minute treble.

From 1-1 and edgy to 3-1 and cruising, Stuttgart had flipped the script before the interval, their No. 9 at the heart of everything.

Afterwards, Demirovic spoke of his satisfaction at delivering both the result and the goals expected of him, stressing how important it was to justify Stuttgart’s status as favourites on the night. He was pleased with the hat-trick, pleased with the three points – and clear that this was only a start.

Hoeness’ warning note

The second half never quite matched the chaos of the first, but it still carried warnings for Stuttgart.

Viking refused to fold. They continued to threaten on the counter, particularly after turnovers in midfield, and carved out moments that kept the home defence honest. Demirovic himself acknowledged those nervy spells, pointing to specific situations where Stuttgart’s defensive transitions faltered.

Hoeness shared that view, and his striker echoed the head coach’s call for sharper tactical discipline as the tournament wears on. The message from the dressing room was consistent: the job was done on the night, but the details still need tightening.

“We also know that we can do better in one or two situations and need to tighten up in our defensive transitions,” Demirovic admitted, even as he underlined that the team had achieved their main objective.

A forward line with teeth

Undav, heavily involved in Demirovic’s first-half explosion, could have added gloss to the scoreline late on. He found himself in promising positions but passed up chances to make it four, his finishing just short of the standard set by his strike partner.

It didn’t matter in terms of the result. Stuttgart managed the closing stages with control, kept Viking at arm’s length, and saw out the win without serious alarm.

What will linger from this night is the sense of a forward line that can trouble anyone. Demirovic’s clinical edge, his understanding with Undav, and the service from midfield offer Hoeness a platform as the Champions League league phase grows more demanding.

Three goals for the birthday, three points for the campaign. If Stuttgart can match Demirovic’s ruthlessness with the defensive discipline he and his coach demand, this anniversary season could turn into something far more significant.