Ermedin Demirovic Shines with Hat-Trick in Stuttgart's Champions League Opener

Ermedin Demirovic chose Stuttgart’s 133rd birthday to deliver the kind of performance that gets remembered for years.

A ruthless hat-trick from the Bosnian striker powered VfB Stuttgart to a 3-1 win over Viking FK at the MHP Arena, giving Sebastian Hoeness’ side the perfect launch to their Champions League league phase campaign.

Slow start, sudden surge

Stuttgart began nervously, their passing a touch safe, their tempo a shade off. Viking, organised and alert, looked ready to spoil the party.

Then Demirovic arrived.

On 20 minutes, he darted into space and reacted quickest to a sharp, threaded ball from Angelo Stiller. One touch to steady himself, one to poke it home. The stadium woke up.

The lead barely lasted two minutes. Viking struck back with a swift counter, Zlatko Tripic finishing off the move to stun the home crowd and remind Stuttgart that European nights rarely follow a script.

Instead of rattling them, the setback lit a fire.

A 12-minute demolition

Demirovic and Deniz Undav began to find each other with growing ease, their movement pulling Viking’s back line out of shape. The pressure built, attack after attack rolling towards the Norwegian side.

The second goal underlined Demirovic’s confidence. Linking with Undav, he found space and lashed his finish into the roof of the net, a strike full of conviction and power.

Viking wobbled. Stuttgart sensed it.

Minutes later, the same partnership cut through again. Demirovic collected the ball in the box, showed immaculate control under pressure, and stayed ice-cold to complete his 12-minute treble. Three chances, three goals. Clinical finishing in its purest form.

By half-time, Stuttgart had the game where they wanted it and their No. 9 had it firmly in his hands.

Joy, but no complacency

After the final whistle, Demirovic allowed himself a smile. Three goals, three points, and a Champions League campaign off to a flying start.

“The win is a nice way to kick off the Champions League campaign,” he said. “We’ve picked up three points and I’m pleased about my three goals.”

He did not pretend it had been flawless. Viking, especially after the break, continued to threaten on the counter. Their speed in transition forced Stuttgart into some uncomfortable defensive sprints and a few anxious moments.

Demirovic backed Hoeness’ post-match assessment, acknowledging that the performance still needs polishing as the tournament wears on.

“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.”

Job done, tests to come

Undav might have added to the score late on, passing up chances that would have turned a solid win into a rout, but by then Stuttgart were firmly in control. They managed the closing stages with authority, kept Viking at arm’s length, and saw out a victory that never truly felt in danger after the interval.

For Hoeness, the sight of Demirovic in such ruthless form is a major asset with the schedule about to intensify. Domestic pressures are growing, European nights will only get tougher, and margins will tighten.

If Stuttgart are to navigate the coming weeks with ambition intact, they will need exactly what Demirovic offered here: composure, precision, and a striker who turns half-chances into headlines.