Jarzinho Malanga wasted little time in catching people’s eye in Wednesday’s 2-0 defeat to Atalanta in the UEFA Champions League. Just two minutes after being brought on by head coach Sebastian Hoeneß as an 80th-minute substitute for El Bilal Touré, the teenager let fly from just outside the penalty area on the right but could only find the side netting. Aged 18 years, three months and 27 days, the attacker is VfB’s second-youngest debutant in Europe’s premier club competition.
Malanga is another shining example of Stuttgart’s approach to promoting and developing homegrown youngsters. He has made huge progress in the youth academy since joining VfB’s Under-17s from SV Waldhof Mannheim in summer 2022, not only making the step up to the U19 side but earning himself a place in the U21 squad in the third division at the start of the current season. He has also made his youth international debut during his time at the club, making 22 appearances to date. Malanga signed a long-term contract extension with VfB in May this year.
Praise from Hoeneß
Hoeneß was full of praise for the talented attacker after his brief Champions League cameo on Wednesday: “He immediately gave us an impetus with his easy-going manner, which is how it should be when you make a substitution. His shot was a little statement of intent. We’re confident he’ll continue to put a lot of hard work into his development.”
Top 11: Youngest VfB debutants in the UEFA Champions League
- – Manuel Fischer (18 years, 2 month, 24 days)
- – Jarzinho Malanga (18 years, 3 month, 27 days)
- – Mario Gomez (18 years, 8 month)
- – Sebastian Rudy (19 years, 3 month, 22 days)
- – Philipp Lahm (19 years, 10 month, 21 days)
- – Timo Gebhart (20 years, 4 month, 7 days)
- – Anrie Chase (20 years, 4 month, 25 days)
- – Serdar Tasci (20 years, 4 month, 27 days)
- – Sami Khedira (20 years, 5 month, 16 days)
- – Julian Schieber (20 years, 6 month, 6 days)
- – Andreas Beck (20 years, 7 month, 26 days)