Record holders Real Madrid begin their Champions League defence in a new format welcoming Bundesliga surprise package VFB Stuttgart at Bernabeu.
RM vs STU Match Details
Date: Tuesday, 17 September 2024 / Wednesday, 18 September 2024
Time: 21:00 (CET), 00:30 (IST)
Venue: Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
RM vs STU Match Preview
Defeating Borussia Dortmund 2-0 in the final at Wembley handed Real Madrid their record-extending 15th Champions League title and their legendary coach a third continental trophy with the club. The team has ensured more dominance in the upcoming campaigns with their Galactico signing of Kylian Mbappe hoping to add more titles to his name and the club cabinet. Winning the Champions League is missing from the Frenchman’s illusive career despite being just 25 and clinching the trophy with the outright winners in the season that saw the competition going through a complete overhaul will mean a lot. Los Blancos will battle to be in the top eight of the League Phase facing past winners Liverpool, AC Milan and Dortmund again alongside Atalanta, Lille, Stuttgart and Brest. Defending the title will be tougher than ever but the masters of the competition won’t bow down. Also winning the La Liga, Real Madrid wish to start their new-look Champions League campaign and Kylian Mbappe's competition debut in his new shirt on a winning note.
Surprise package Stuttgart dreamt of nights like this when they stunned everyone in Germany by finishing as runners-up in the league ahead of Leipzig, Dortmund and even Bayern Munich. Playing the best season in their history, Sebastian Hoeness's men qualified for the Champions League for the first time since 2010 and will lock horns with the competition’s best both home and away. The League Phase will be a tough outing for the Swabians, making the trip to the Spanish capital to face the holders for their first proper continental match after a long time while also taking on Italian giants Juventus and Ligue 1 record winners PSG later in the contest. Stuttgart faced a rough start to the new Bundesliga season with a loss and draw but managed to pick up momentum at the right moment with consecutive wins ahead of facing Real Madrid. Another factor that will work in their favour is playing without pressure, allowing them to enjoy the European nights with no expectations on their shoulders.
Recent Form (all competitions)
RM: WDWDW
STU: LLWDW
RM vs STU Team News
Jude Bellingham returned from an injury that kept him out of any action last month in the win against Real Sociedad this weekend. Fellow midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni also makes a comeback after missing the previous game and the international break with a concern. Real Madrid’s injury list is extensive with Brahim Diaz the latest addition after being forced off early at the weekend with a muscle injury. Eduardo Camavinga and Dani Ceballos are absent as well.
New signing Ameen Al Dakhil has not made his debut for Stuttgart yet due to a muscle injury keeping him out until October. Nikolas Nartey and Frans Kratzig are also out for the same period while Justin Diehl's recovery will take longer having dislocated his shoulder. However, defender Leonidas Stergiou is closing on a return from a back issue.
RM vs STU Predicted Lineups
Real Madrid
Courtois; Carvajal, Eder Militao, Rudiger, Mendy; Valverde, Modric; Rodrygo, Bellingham, Vinicius Junior; Mbappe
Stuttgart
Nubel; Vagnoman, Chase, Chabot, Mittelstadt; Leweling, Karazor, Stiller, Rieder; Demirovic, Undav
RM vs STU Dream11 Match Prediction
Real Madrid will be the favorites in this clash at home against underdogs Stuttgart who need time to get used to the competition. We predict a 3-1 win for the holders.
RM vs STU Dream11 Top picks
Captain Pick: Kylian Mbappe
Vice-captain Picks: Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Junior
RM vs STU Dream11 Team Suggestion
GK: Nubel (Cr - 8)
DEF: Militao (Cr - 8), Rudiger (Cr - 8), Mittelstadt (Cr - 8.5)
MID: Tillman (Cr - 9, Pts - 249), Bellingham (Cr - 9), Valverde (7.5), Rieder (Cr - 8),
FW: Vinicius (Cr - 9), Undav (Cr - 8), Mbappe (Cr - 9)
Vice-captain: Jude Bellingham
Captain: Kylian Mbappe
