According to BILD, Klopp watched Stuttgart's 4-1 victory over Cologne, where Undav failed to score and left the game due to injury. The striker is in a goal drought and was again rated 5 by BILD.

In the Bundesliga opener away at Bayern, Undav's performance was also far below his usual standard. Against Cologne, he had only one scoring chance (19th minute) and was largely invisible otherwise. In the 70th minute, Undav was substituted due to injury. Head coach Sebastian Hoeneß defended him: "After a 4-1 victory, people are discussing his performance, which is the price a superstar has to pay. Of course, he can play better, and he has proven that many times."

Undav has had two consecutive weak league performances in front of new Germany national team coach Klopp. As Stuttgart's captain, he actively motivated his teammates on the field and communicated frequently with them, but currently lacks the composure and clinical finishing in front of goal. Sporting director Fabian Wohlgemuth said: "There are always phases in a striker's career when they have to work through them. We will see him in much better form again."

Hoeneß substituted captain Undav in the 70th minute, bringing on Ermedin Demirović, who scored to make it 3-0 minutes later. On the bench, Undav celebrated the goal enthusiastically. Before that, he had a brief conversation with the coach on the sidelines. Hoeneß said: "Undav indicated when he was substituted that he had some issues with his Achilles tendon. We briefly discussed it. I felt he couldn't fully let loose because of it. Undav can certainly play better. But I'm not worried; he will recover quickly and be back to his best."

After the match against Cologne, Undav limped through the underground passage of Stuttgart's MHPArena, unwilling to give interviews. Stuttgart will play Viking Stavanger in the Champions League next Wednesday at 0:45 AM CEST. By then, Undav hopes to—and must—score for Stuttgart again.

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