Early May, 2025: Sebastian Hoeneß’s side faced FC Augsburg at home and RB Leipzig away on the last two matchdays of the Bundesliga campaign, respectively earning 4-0 and 3-2 wins to finish in ninth place in the standings.
“Our development has been positive”
“We earned 50 points overall in the Bundesliga this season,” said Hoeneß after the final league game in Leipzig. For context, VfB have only ever reached that figure on three other occasions over the last 15 years. “We were close to finishing in the European qualifying places. As a whole, our development has been positive.”
That progress was shaped by a season of opportunities and challenges. VfB participated in the UEFA Champions League for the first time in 14 years, and also went all the way in the DFB Cup.
Furthermore, the Cannstatt club released 10 players or more to their respective national teams in almost every international break. Having so many players feature in so many matches was a new challenge to cope with, but it was one both the club and team learned a great deal from.
Impressive statistics
There were both highs and lows across the season for VfB. The former included a spectacular 5-1 home win over Borussia Dortmund as well as three victories in a nine-point week to kick off 2025.
There were setbacks too, such as the defeats against Bayern Munich (3-1) and Bayer Leverkusen (4-3), in which VfB lost in the closing stages each time despite producing strong performances. Nevertheless, those experiences could prove valuable as VfB’s young team continues to learn.
Hoeneß’s side was the second youngest in the Bundesliga in 2024/25 with an average age of 24.6 years; only Eintracht Frankfurt (24.2 years) were younger. VfB showed their strength of character on a number of occasions, earning a league-high total of 14 points (level with Bayern, Leverkusen and Union Berlin) from games in which they fell behind.
Ermedin Demirovic finished the campaign as VfB’s top scorer with 15 Bundesliga goals, equalling his personal best tally set with Augsburg the previous season. Meanwhile, Angelo Stiller and Maximilian Mittelstädt were the team’s best goal providers with eight assists each.
Furthermore, VfB substitutes scored 15 times across 2024/25, giving the team the second highest such haul after Bayern.
All of which stands as testament to the fantastic team spirit and sense of togetherness as the side overcame the obstacles placed before them.
The 2024/25 season review
We’re looking back on the 2024/25 season in three parts – one for each competition the team played in – reflecting on significant successes and experiences to be learned from. On Tuesday, part one took stock of the Bundesliga campaign. VfB’s Champions League journey follows on Wednesday, before the DFB Cup review on Thursday.
