VfB Stuttgart successfully qualified for the Round of 16 in the Europa League despite suffering a defeat in the second leg match against Celtic Glasgow. After a comfortable 4-1 victory in the first leg in Scotland, the team was able to navigate the second leg's challenges, which ended in a 0-1 loss. The early setback, a goal from Luke McCowan just 28 seconds into the match, created tension, but Stuttgart's overall accumulated lead from the first leg kept their qualification secure.

Coach Sebastian Hoeneß expressed relief at achieving their goal of advancing, highlighting that the performance was satisfactory given the circumstances. Despite acknowledging that the team’s display was not up to their usual standards, the manager emphasized that the outcome was never really in doubt, signaling a level of confidence in their prior achievement. The loss marked Stuttgart's first defeat at home during the current Europa League season but did not overshadow their overall success in progressing through the tournament.

The match's implications extend beyond just the immediate result for Stuttgart as they now look towards the round of 16, where they will face more formidable opponents. Their ability to secure advancement despite a less-than-stellar performance speaks to their resilience and strategic planning. Looking forward, the team must address any weaknesses highlighted by the match against Celtic to perform effectively in the knockout stages of the competition, balancing motivation and execution as they strive for further continental success.