Stuttgart Confirm Angelo Stiller Avoided Serious Injury After Hoffenheim Scare

VfB Stuttgart have confirmed Angelo Stiller avoided serious injury after a worrying collision during Saturday's 2-1 Bundesliga defeat at Hoffenheim, with the club describing the diagnosis as merely a contusion.

The Germany international was forced off in the 35th minute after taking a knee from Hoffenheim's Ozan Kabak inside the penalty area, initially attempting to continue before signalling he could no longer play. Head coach Sebastian Hoeness had feared a hematoma immediately after the match without being able to offer a firm diagnosis, but the club has since confirmed the injury is not serious, calling it "fortunate under the circumstances."

The incident also fuelled a wider VAR controversy from the match, with both Hoeness and sporting director Fabian Wohlgemuth publicly questioning why no penalty was awarded for the challenge, with referee Sven Jablonski reportedly telling Hoeness he had not seen the incident live. The positive medical update is a timely boost for Stuttgart, with Stiller having started all five of the club's competitive fixtures this season and considered a strong candidate for new Germany head coach Jurgen Klopp's first squad selection this week. Stuttgart host Borussia Dortmund next Saturday.