After PSV Eindhoven and RB Leipzig, Juventus' Champions League journey will continue with a home encounter against Stuttgart, and as with the previous two fixtures, this will be another first for both sides.
There is no previous European tie between the two teams, but Stuttgart has already faced Italian teams 13 times in its history: seven times in the UEFA Cup – the current Europa League – where they’ve registered one win, three draws and three defeats; twice in the Intertoto Cup (with one win and one loss); twice in the Fairs Cup (one draw and one defeat) and most recently in the Europa League, in a two-legged clash against Lazio in the 2012/2013 season that saw the Biancoceleste win both matches.
Unlike German rivals RB Leipzig, who were born in the first decade of this millennium, Stuttgart have a far greater history behind them.
STUTTGART’S HISTORY
Founded on 9 September 1893 under the name Stuttgart FV 93, the club merged with Kronen-Club Cannstatt – a team that was initially founded as an exclusively rugby club – on 2 April 1912 and subsequently changed its name to VfB Stuttgart 1893 e.V..
The club's colours are white and red, with a red band on the chest. The players are called ‘The Reds’ - ‘Die Roten’ in German - in opposition to local rivals the Stuttgarter Kickers, nicknamed ‘The Blues’.
Stuttgart is one of the oldest teams in Germany and has won the Bundesliga five times in its history, finishing second five times as well – their result just this past season – while they’ve won the German Cup three times and the German Super Cup once. They came close to winning a second German Super Cup this season, but were defeated by Bayer Leverkusen on penalties just a few weeks ago. At European level, Stuttgart boasts two victories in the Intertoto Cup.
STUTTGART THIS SEASON
For the 58th time in their history, Stuttgart are participating in the German Bundesliga once again this season.
This season’s start was not the best for Sebastian Hoeneß’s charges, with only one point collected after the first two days, with four goals scored, but six conceded. They began their campaign with a 3-1 loss in Freiburg, after having taken the lead after just two minutes on the clock, before playing out a thrilling 3-3 at home against Mainz.
SEE YOU ON TUESDAY, 22 OCTOBER AT 21.00 CEST AT THE ALLIANZ STADIUM FOR JUVENTUS-STUTTGART!