Champions League
Real Madrid Kicks Off UCL Title Defense With Victory Over VfB Stuttgart
Real Madrid began their quest to defend the UEFA Champions League (UCL) title with a commanding 3-1 victory over VfB Stuttgart at the Santiago Bernabéu.
This win extended Los Blancos’ unbeaten streak at home in the Champions League to 14 games, solidifying their reputation as one of the toughest teams to face on their turf.
A New Era for Stuttgart
VfB Stuttgart’s journey back to the elite of European football has been marked by highs and lows. Since the 2009/10 season, the Swabian side has faced relegation twice and experienced just three top-half finishes in the Bundesliga.
However, under the management of Sebastian Hoeneß, Stuttgart has transformed into a competitive force. After an impressive second-place finish in the previous season, the club has re-established itself among Europe’s giants, making their visit to the revered Bernabéu a significant milestone.
Despite facing the 15-time Champions League winners, Stuttgart was undeterred, showing their ambition and determination right from the start.
Their offensive mindset was evident, with the team forcing multiple saves from Real Madrid’s goalkeeper, Thibaut Courtois, in the opening 20 minutes. An early opportunity for Enzo Millot particularly stood out, as he failed to capitalize on a one-on-one situation against the Belgian keeper.
The Match Unfolds
As the game progressed, it became clear that Madrid was beginning to find their rhythm. Kylian Mbappé emerged as a constant threat, testing Stuttgart’s goalkeeper Alexander Nübel with several attempts.
Madrid’s front line created a flurry of chances, with Aurélien Tchouaméni’s ambitious header from a corner being securely saved by Nübel. Stuttgart’s defense was put under significant pressure, exemplified by Maximilian Mittelstädt’s heroic block that sent Rodrygo’s close-range effort over the bar.
In a moment of controversy, a penalty was initially awarded to Madrid when Mittelstädt collided with Antonio Rüdiger. However, after a review with the pitchside monitor, referee Halil Umut Meler correctly overturned his decision, determining that there was no contact.
The decision was a testament to the importance of video assistant referees (VAR) in the modern game.
Second Half
Los Blancos showed their trademark resilience just moments after the restart. Within 30 seconds of the second half, Madrid orchestrated a swift play capitalizing on Stuttgart’s momentary lapse.
Rodrygo set up Mbappé for a simple tap-in, marking the Frenchman’s debut UCL goal for Real Madrid. Madrid’s dominance continued as they pressed for more, with Vinícius Júnior almost extending the lead, hitting the crossbar, while Courtois remained vigilant at the other end, stopping a fierce low drive from Jamie Leweling.
Despite Madrid’s dominance, Stuttgart stunned the home crowd by equalizing in the 68th minute.
From a corner, Leweling found Undav at the far post, who expertly nodded the ball into the net. This goal illustrated Stuttgart’s never-say-die attitude and reaffirmed their potential to compete at the highest level.
The Final Push
With the score level and time running out, the match took on a more tense and strategic nature.
Yet, true to their legacy, Real Madrid demonstrated their capacity to rise to the occasion. Luka Modrić delivered a pinpoint corner that found Rüdiger unmarked, and the former Stuttgart player made no mistake, heading home to restore Madrid’s advantage.
As the match approached its conclusion, substitute Endrick, making his UCL debut, capped off the night with a well-timed goal on the counterattack, sealing a 3-1 victory for Los Blancos. The late goal was a bitter pill for Hoeneß and his team to swallow, but it also reflected their competitive spirit and improved quality.
Looking Ahead
For Real Madrid, this victory serves as a promising start to their Champions League campaign, emphasizing their determination to reclaim the title.
