Stuttgart thankful for Tomasson

Absent friends
While coach Matthias Sammer and star players Kevin Kuranyi and Aleksandr Hleb all left the Bundesliga club in the summer, Tomasson has been the only new arrival to make an impact in what has been a disappointing start to the season.

Transfer moves
The transfer fees for Kuranyi and Hleb allowed Stuttgart to bring in some big names, not least experienced coach Giovanni Trapattoni. The Italian had the pleasure of welcoming internationals Ludovic Magnin, Thomas Hitzlsperger and Jesper Grønkjær to the Gottlieb-Daimler stadium along with Tomasson.

Star billing
The majority of the newcomers are yet to live up to billing with only Denmark forward Tomasson emerging as a major star, having joined from AC Milan. Now Stuttgart need him to carry his good form into the Group G match in Rennes.

Priceless goals
Tomasson's four goals in eight Bundesliga outings have spared Stuttgart's blushes, earning them two wins and two draws. He also showed he has lost none of his hunger for European competition by scoring in the 2-0 UEFA Cup first round first-leg victory against NK Domžale.

Irreplaceable talents
No surprise then that Trapattoni has singled him out as one of his most important players. "There are a few players in the squad that simply can't be replaced," said the trainer. "Zvonimir Soldo is one and Jon Dahl Tomasson is another. He leads by example on the field."

Perfect reading
When asked about the 29-year-old's strengths Trapattoni added: "Jon Dahl knows exactly what to do on a football pitch. He reads the game perfectly. He knows when a colleague is in need of assistance and when he can concentrate on getting forward. He has a style of his own."

Time off
With the Dane serving a suspension in the Bundesliga after being sent off in a goalless draw at BV Borussia Dortmund, he has had time to recover from recent international endeavours, and should be sharp for tonight's game. The Rennes defence will have their work cut out.