Stuttgart made a blistering start at the MHP Arena and were two goals up inside seven minutes. Deniz Undav opened the scoring in the sixth minute, side-footing home from Lorenz Assignon's cross, before Demirovic doubled the lead moments later after a neat one-two with Angelo Stiller.

"I have mixed feelings," Demirovic told UEFA after the match. "Over the first 35 minutes, I think we had an almost perfect game. We played very well with the ball and against the ball. We were aggressive and in control."

Despite Stuttgart's dominance, Young Boys found a way back just before half-time. Fabian Bredlow lost possession, allowing Armin Gigovic to fire a superb strike into the top corner to make it 2-1. That goal changed the momentum, and the Swiss side carried it into the second half.

Just over 10 minutes after the restart, Young Boys drew level through Sandro Lauper, who smashed an outstanding volley from the edge of the box following a corner. Stuttgart looked unsettled, while the visitors pushed for a third goal, forcing Bredlow into key saves as the game opened up.

Stuttgart eventually found a winner in the 90th minute when Chema Andres finished a swift counter-attack to restore their lead and secure all three points. However, results elsewhere meant Sebastian Hoeness' side finished outside the top eight and must now go through the play-off round.

"Of course, we're happy that we won the game," Demirovic added. "But I think it was a bit more difficult than it should be. The goal we conceded before half-time made it harder, and our opponent was better after that."

The win maintained Stuttgart's 100 percent home record in the competition and confirmed a seeded place in the play-offs, where they will face either Celtic or Ludogorets over two legs, with the first leg scheduled for February 19.

Looking ahead, Demirovic said: "It's another challenge against another good opponent. I think we're in good shape and we'll try everything to get through the play-offs."

Young Boys, meanwhile, suffered a sixth consecutive defeat in the competition and were eliminated from the Europa League. Stuttgart now turn their focus back to domestic action with an all-Baden-Wurttemberg clash against Freiburg this weekend.

Marc van Heerden extends Cape Town City stay