The 43-year-old coach, who praised his players for their control and efficiency, said the first-half display set the tone.

"We achieved what we set out to do," Hoeness said. "We can be very satisfied with the first half. The scoreline could have been higher, and scoring the third goal straight after the restart helped us keep control."

Stuttgart, who are ninth in the Europa League league-phase table, extended their cup winning streak to five matches across Europe and the DFB-Pokal. They have also won all three of their home games in Europe this season.

As expected, Stuttgart dominated possession against a Maccabi side who are 34th in the standings. Lazar Jovanovic, handed a rare start after only 50 senior minutes since joining in the summer, impressed early from the right. Stuttgart's pressure almost forced an own goal when Heitor deflected a Maximilian Mittelstadt cross towards his own net.

The opener arrived shortly afterwards, and it came from a fullback. Lorenz Assignon, sent off only minutes after coming on in Stuttgart's heavy defeat to Bayern earlier this season, struck a precise low volley for his first goal for the club. Mittelstadt, a key outlet on the left, supplied the assist.

Roi Mishpati kept Maccabi in the game with a stop from Deniz Undav, but Stuttgart doubled their lead soon after. Undav exchanged passes with Angelo Stiller before squaring for Tiago Tomas, who scored at the MHP Arena for the first time since returning in the summer. VAR took its time but eventually confirmed the goal.

There was more drama before the break when referee Marian Barbu checked another VAR screen for a potential penalty on Tomas but waved it away. Two minutes into the second half, however, he pointed to the spot for a Heitor handball. Mittelstadt converted confidently to make it 3-0, though Maccabi responded immediately when Roy Revivo beat Alexander Nubel at his near post.

Dor Peretz almost closed the gap further around the hour mark, prompting Hoeness to introduce Chema Andrés, Jamie Leweling, and Bilal El Khannouss to regain control. El Khannouss was booked soon after coming on, meaning he will miss the crucial trip to Roma in January through suspension.

Maccabi threatened once more through Revivo, but Nubel reacted sharply. Stuttgart then regained composure and finished strongly. Substitute Badredine Bouanani delivered a superb cross for Josha Vagnoman, who headed in to become the fourth fullback on the scoresheet.

Hoeness said the aim before the winter break is straightforward: "We want to be as successful as possible in the Bundesliga and attack these last two Europa League games decisively."

Stuttgart will end 2025 with Bundesliga fixtures against Werder Bremen and TSG Hoffenheim before resuming their Europa League campaign in January against Roma and Young Boys, knowing one more strong push could secure their place in the knockout stage.

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