Real Madrid take on Stuttgart in first-ever UCL clash.

2024-09-16

In a historic first competitive meeting, European giants Real Madrid welcome VfB Stuttgart to the Santiago Bernabéu as both sides seek a winning start in the revamped UEFA Champions League.

Real Madrid

Real Madrid will begin their European campaign on Tuesday against Stuttgart in what will be the first competitive match between the two sides. Successive 2-0 victories over Betis and Real Sociedad have placed Madrid in 4th in La Liga [DWDWW] as they approach this clash.

"It was a complicated game, and we probably didn't deserve to win because Real Sociedad played very well," Carlo Ancelotti mentioned in a post-match interview over the weekend. Having defeated Dortmund on their way to a record 15th UCL title last term, Madrid is eager to face another German side at the start of the revamped UEFA Champions League.

The Whites have faced 15 different German teams in the competition and have only lost one of their last 21 games against such opponents [14W, 6D, 1L]. Overall, they have won 29 of their 39 home games against German opposition [29W, 7D, 3L].

Vinícius Júnior, Rodrygo, and Mbappe, who will be making his UCL debut in a Madrid shirt, are expected to lead the attack in Carlo Ancelotti's 4-3-3 formation. Aurélien Tchouaméni and Jude Bellingham returned to training after missing the international break and are doubtful for Tuesday’s game, while Eduardo Camavinga and David Alaba are ruled out.

Brahim Díaz, who was forced off in the 24th minute against Sociedad, is also ruled out of this midweek encounter.

VfB Stuttgart

VfB Stuttgart are coming off a confidence-boosting 3-1 win on Saturday over Mönchengladbach. Two goals from Ermedin Demirović, spaced four minutes apart, alongside a Deniz Undav goal, steered Stuttgart to their first victory of the season.

Die Schwaben will be hoping to secure consecutive victories across two competitions as they prepare to face Real Madrid in the maiden edition of the UCL league phase. With 36 sides in the competition, their unlikely wish to finish inside the top eight for an automatic spot in the next round may go unrealized.

Nevertheless, Stuttgart will give it a go when they visit the Santiago Bernabéu for their first UCL appearance since March 2010. A poor record against Spanish opposition remains a source of concern, as they are without a win in six attempts against such sides in the competition.

A 4-2-3-1 formation with Deniz Undav in attack is anticipated against Real Madrid. Ameen Al Dakhil and Nikolas Nartey will miss out on this trip to Madrid.