VfB Stuttgart 2–3 Borussia Mönchengladbach | Bundesliga | 23 October 2026

Result Summary

In a dramatic Friday evening clash at Stuttgart, Borussia Mönchengladbach produced a stunning second-half turnaround to claim all three points, overcoming an early VfB Stuttgart lead to win 3–2. Ermedin Demirović was the standout individual on the pitch with a brace, but it was Gladbach's clinical efficiency in front of goal that ultimately proved decisive in a result few anticipated.

Match Analysis

Stuttgart set the tone immediately, with Demirović heading in from close range just five minutes in, converting a fine delivery from Dženan Pejčinović with a right-foot finish. The home side dominated proceedings throughout the first half — a possession figure of 70% and 131 attacks to Gladbach's 77 underlined Stuttgart's territorial control. Yet the visitors struck against the run of play just before the break, as Joseph Michael Scally converted an assist from Zento Uno on 38 minutes to level matters.

The closing stages of the first half turned fractious, with Leo Sauer and Atakan Karazor both picking up yellow cards for Stuttgart in the 44th and 45th minutes respectively, and Gladbach's Florian Neuhaus also booked in stoppage time.

The second half told a very different story. Shuto Machino put Gladbach ahead on 51 minutes, finishing a move involving Wael Mohya, and just 15 minutes later Mohya turned provider to scorer — heading home an assist from Joe Scally to make it 3–1 on 66 minutes and all but seal Stuttgart's fate. Sebastian Hoeneß responded with a triple substitution at the 55-minute mark, introducing Bilal El Khannous, Jamie Leweling, and Deniz Undav, but Gladbach's third goal arrived before the changes could take full effect.

To their credit, Stuttgart refused to capitulate. Demirović pulled one back on 83 minutes with a header assisted by substitute Leweling, setting up a tense finale. However, Gladbach managed the closing minutes — aided by six yellow cards across the match, including Lukas Ullrich booked for time-wasting on 79 minutes — to see out a memorable away victory. Despite Stuttgart's 85% passing accuracy and 13 key passes, Gladbach's 6 shots on target to Stuttgart's 5 reflected their superior cutting edge.

Prediction Review

Our pre-match forecast gave Stuttgart a 62% probability of victory, with a predicted scoreline of 2–0 to the home side. That projection proved incorrect on both counts. While the underlying statistics — possession, attack volume, passing accuracy — were broadly consistent with a Stuttgart-dominant performance, the model failed to account for Gladbach's ability to convert limited opportunities into a match-winning haul. Alexander Blessin's side registered just 26 dangerous attacks compared to Stuttgart's 63, yet scored three times. This is a textbook case of efficiency outweighing possession, a factor that can confound even confident forecasts.

Key Takeaways

• Demirović was exceptional but found himself on the losing side despite a brace — Stuttgart's profligacy with 8 shots off target proved costly.
• Gladbach's clinical edge — three goals from six shots on target — was the decisive factor in defying their statistical inferiority.
• Stuttgart's triple substitution at 55 minutes showed Hoeneß's urgency, but the match was already slipping away by that point.
• The yellow-card flurry in the final minutes of the first half disrupted Stuttgart's rhythm at a critical juncture, and Gladbach capitalised ruthlessly after the break.