While VfB and Slovan Bratislava last crossed swords less than two years ago, plenty has changed for the Slovakian side since then – most notably the coach. When the lads from Cannstatt won 3-1 in Bratislava on 21 January 2025 on Matchday 7 of the league phase of the UEFA Champions League, Vladimir Weiss was at the helm of Slovakia’s most prolific domestic league winners. He has since gone on to coach the country’s national team, and now it is Yaya Touré – a man with 97 caps for Cote d’Ivoire and a UEFA Champions League winner in 2009 with Barcelona, no less – who has taken over the reins.
First African coach on Europe’s biggest stage
Bratislava defeated Swedish side Mjällby AIF in the final qualifying round for the UEFA Champions League, 2-1 away and 2-0 at home, to make Yaya Touré the first African to coach in Europe’s biggest club competition. “I’m delighted to get this chance that I’ve been given, and also to be working with such a great team,” said the 43-year-old, for whom this is the first post as a head coach. Previously, Toure had worked with Tottenham Hotspur’s academy and as an assistant coach for the Saudi Arabian national team.
League form below par
Despite being defending champions, Bratislava are only fourth in the league this time around in the early going – an unusual position for the 32-time champions to find themselves in. In Europe, expectations are much more modest, particularly after opening their Champions League campaign with a 6-1 defeat away to the tournament’s reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain.
The one thing that has not changed for VfB Stuttgart is where they will be playing. The ‘Tehelné pole’ national stadium is small but eye-catching, particularly with its steep banks of seats. It has a capacity of 22,500 for both Slovan Bratislava and the Slovakian national side, and VfB certainly have fond memories of the ground from January 2025.
