UEL: Stuttgart Edges Celta Vigo 2-1 in UEFA Europa League Opener

Bouanani and El Khannouss lead Stuttgart to victory over Celta

Stuttgart secured a 2-1 win over Celta Vigo in the UEFA Europa League, with Badredine Bouanani and Bilal El Khannouss scoring crucial goals.

Stuttgart made a winning start to their UEFA Europa League (UEL) campaign with a 2-1 win over Celta Vigo, claiming only a third victory in 16 meetings against...

Stuttgart's Europa League Victory

Stuttgart kicked off their UEFA Europa League campaign with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Celta Vigo at the MHPArena. This victory marked their third win in 16 meetings against Spanish teams in European competitions. The match remained scoreless in the first half, with both teams creating opportunities but unable to capitalize.

Stuttgart's early pressure led to a promising chance when Lorenz Assignon's clever cross found Chema Andrés, but Ionuț Radu made a crucial save to deny the shot. Jamie Leweling's follow-up effort sailed over the bar, and Stuttgart's momentum was disrupted when Finn Jeltsch went off injured, forcing Sebastian Hoeness to make an early substitution.

Celta Vigo, making their UEFA Europa League return after nine years, struggled to create significant threats against Stuttgart's defense. One notable exception was Ferran Jutglà's effort, which went wide after a well-placed through ball from Ilaix Moriba. As the half progressed, Stuttgart's intensity picked up, and Radu made another key save to deny Assignon's shot.

Stuttgart impress 😮‍💨#UEL pic.twitter.com/PrQMLVKusq

— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) September 25, 2025

Stuttgart broke the deadlock six minutes into the second half with a well-executed long ball. Alexander Nübel launched the ball forward, and Badredine Bouanani expertly controlled it before lobbing Ionuț Radu to score his first goal for the team. This goal reflected the balance of play, with Stuttgart dominating possession and creating scoring opportunities.

Bilal El Khannouss doubled Stuttgart's lead with a precise strike from a short corner. The Leicester loanee caught the Celta defense off guard and unleashed a clinical shot beyond Radu, scoring his first European goal and cementing Stuttgart's advantage.

Celta Vigo underperformed, struggling to find their rhythm. Javi Rueda's effort went wide, and the team hadn't managed a shot on target. However, they mounted a late comeback, with Ilaix Moriba outmaneuvering Atakan Karazor to set up Borja Iglesias, who scored with a precise finish past Alexander Nübel.

Despite the pressure from Celta Vigo, Stuttgart held on to secure a narrow 2-1 victory, marking their third consecutive home win across all competitions. This win came after a hard-fought match, with Stuttgart's defense ultimately proving strong enough to withstand Celta's late surge. For Celta Vigo, the loss extends their winless streak against German opposition, now having lost five of their last six encounters.

Post-Match Analysis

Stuttgart's victory marked a confident start to their Europa League campaign, with the team's new signings, Bouanani and El Khannouss, making a significant impact. The win sets the tone for Stuttgart's upcoming fixtures, including their next match against FC Basel.