Real Madrid vs Stuttgart: Champions League Clash
Champions League

Real Madrid vs Stuttgart: Champions League Clash

Real Madrid vs Stuttgart kicks off the first matchday of the brand new league phase of the Champions League on Tuesday night. In this inaugural encounter, holders Real Madrid aim for a perfect start as they pursue title number 16. The stakes are high as the 15-time Champions League winners begin their campaign at the iconic Santiago Bernabeu.

Real Madrid vs Stuttgart: A Historic Meeting

This match marks the first-ever meeting between Real Madrid and Stuttgart. The last time Real Madrid faced a German club in the Champions League final, they triumphed over Borussia Dortmund 2-0 at Wembley. That victory secured Los Blancos their sixth crown in ten years. Now, they face Stuttgart, the 16th different German side in the competition.

Real Madrid’s journey to last season’s final included matches against four German clubs. They played Union Berlin in the group stage, RB Leipzig in the last 16, and Bayern Munich in the semi-finals. Historically, Real Madrid has an impressive record against German teams in the Champions League. They have lost just one of their last 21 encounters, winning 14.

Recent Form and Expectations

Real Madrid enters this match on the back of a 2-0 victory against Real Sociedad. This win extended their unbeaten start to six games across all competitions. However, they currently sit four points behind Barcelona in La Liga. The holders received a favorable draw based on the UEFA coefficient, but Stuttgart is considered one of the toughest pot four sides in the competition.

Stuttgart, on the other hand, faces a challenging start to their Champions League campaign. They must travel to the Bernabeu, a daunting task for any team. Their group also includes Juventus, Paris Saint-Germain, and Atalanta. This is Stuttgart’s first Champions League campaign in 15 years, making it a significant moment for the club.

Stuttgart’s Struggles Against Spanish Teams

Stuttgart has struggled against Spanish opposition in the Champions League. They are winless in their six meetings, with two draws and four losses. Their last encounter in the competition was in March 2010 when Barcelona defeated them 4-0 in the last 16. Despite this, Stuttgart’s recent form shows promise. They secured a 3-1 victory against Borussia Monchengladbach, marking their first league win of the season.

Team News Ahead of the Clash

Kylian Mbappe is set to make his Champions League debut for Real Madrid. He previously scored 48 goals in 73 appearances in the competition for PSG and Monaco. However, Real Madrid faces injury concerns. Key players like Jude Bellingham and Aurelien Tchouameni have recently returned to training. Bellingham missed the last month, while Tchouameni was absent during the international break.

Brahim Diaz is expected to miss around eight weeks due to a muscle injury. Eduardo Camavinga and Dani Ceballos are also sidelined until the end of the month. Stuttgart’s Ameen Al Dakhil is recovering from an injury, while Leonidas Stergiou is nearing a return. Nikolas Nartey and Frans Kratzig are unlikely to return until October.

Key Players to Watch

For Stuttgart, Ermedin Demirovic is in excellent form, having scored five goals this season. He netted two goals in the recent match against Gladbach. Deniz Undav also found the net, marking his first league goal of the campaign. Stuttgart will rely on their attackers to challenge Real Madrid’s defense.

Real Madrid vs Stuttgart: Possible Lineups

Real Madrid’s Possible Starting Lineup:

  • Goalkeeper: Courtois
  • Defenders: Carvajal, Eder Militao, Rudiger, Mendy
  • Midfielders: Valverde, Modric
  • Forwards: Rodrygo, Bellingham, Vinicius Junior, Mbappe

Stuttgart’s Possible Starting Lineup:

  • Goalkeeper: Nubel
  • Defenders: Vagnoman, Chase, Chabot, Mittelstadt
  • Midfielders: Leweling, Karazor, Stiller, Rieder
  • Forwards: Demirovic, Undav

bein spoots

beinspoots