VfB get under way in the second half of the 2025/26 Bundesliga season when they take on Union Berlin at home on Sunday (kick-off 15:30 CET). The boys from Cannstatt have high hopes for the game – as does Badredine Bouanani, who joined the club in summer 2025.
The 21-year-old has made the most of his first six months in Stuttgart to settle in and get used to his new surroundings. Now the pacey, skilful attacker is aiming for more minutes on the pitch and to offer a greater goal threat.
Hello Badredine, Stuttgart has been a winter wonderland recently. How are you coping with the freezing temperatures in Germany?
Badredine: “I was born and raised in Lille, so winters and snow like this are nothing new for me. Winters in that region of France are similar to German ones. It was different for me when I played at OGC Nice on the Côte d’Azur as the temperature never drops that low there. The climate is a lot milder (laughs).”
You’ve now been in Stuttgart for almost six months. How have you settled in?
Badredine: “I’ve felt very much at home in Stuttgart since day one. My team-mates, the coaching staff and everyone at the club has really made me feel welcome. That made it easy for me to settle into my new surroundings and to quickly be able to concentrate on my football and my development.”
How would you assess your first six months at VfB?
Badredine: “I was pleased with my first month. I settled in quickly, had some good involvement on the pitch and scored my first VfB goal against Celta de Vigo. I struggled to build on my good start after the international break in October, but things improved again around the middle of November. There have been ups and downs. I’m using every training session to get better and stake my claim. I feel like my form is getting better again and that the hard work is paying off.”
Badredine Bouanani:
The Bundesliga is a very direct league in which teams don’t give each other an inch – every match is intense.
You turned professional in France and made 65 Ligue 1 appearances for FC Lorient and Nice. Now that you’re in the Bundesliga, what do you think sets German football apart?
Badredine: “The Bundesliga is famous for having lots of attack-minded teams that try to play good football. On top of that, there’s the pressing and purposeful transitions after regaining possession. Teams often look for the most direct route to goal. That suits my playing style. The French league is a bit more tactical. The Bundesliga is a very direct league in which teams don’t give each other an inch – every match is intense.”
VfB begin a new chapter now with the start of the second half of the Bundesliga season. What aims do you have for the coming period?
Badredine: “I’ve set myself the objective of helping the team more frequently with my performances and with more direct goal contributions. That’s the most important thing for me. I want to keep taking steps forward and to keep developing. We’re in a good position in all competitions, so the second half of the season will be exciting because everything will be decided. I want to be involved in that out on the pitch and do my bit so that we’re successful.”
