Deniz Undav is struggling with VfB Stuttgart in the Bundesliga's results crisis. The German international has yet to score a goal in the top flight this season. TV expert Lothar Matthäus is missing the ease in the striker's play.

The pundit recalled Undav's steep rise in recent years during Sky90 coverage. Until 2020, the centre-forward was still playing in Meppen. Via Belgium and England, Undav eventually landed at VfB Stuttgart, where he achieved his breakthrough.

Last summer, the 30-year-old counted among the few convincing German players at the World Cup with three goals. Matthäus recalled that this was already a lot for his mind in terms of the mental component.

After the World Cup, Undav took over the captain's armband at VfB Stuttgart from midfielder Atakan Karazor. The experienced player is still waiting for his first goal in the new Bundesliga season across seven appearances. On Friday evening, Stuttgart surprisingly lost to Borussia Mönchengladbach 2-3.

Is the VfB armband a burden for Undav?

Matthäus stated that Undav no longer has that ease about him and suggested he has lost his smile.

The 1990 World Cup winner attempted an analysis. He noted that Undav might be overthinking things and added that while he wouldn't necessarily say the captain's armband should be taken away as that decision has been made, perhaps it hasn't done him any favors because he is too preoccupied with himself. The record international emphasized this point.

At VfB Stuttgart, things are not going well in the Bundesliga overall. Stuttgart sits in 15th place with just six points.

The situation looks quite different in the Champions League. Here, manager Sebastian Hoeneß's side has already collected seven points from the first three matches, sitting in sixth place. Undav has already been successful in the elite competition himself.