Real Madrid, the current Champions League champion, appealed to its hierarchy to get the three points in its European debut / Photo: Real Madrid
Real Madrid of Spain got off to a good start in defending their crown in the 2024/2025 edition of the European Champions League.
Despite having difficulties in defence – especially in the first half – and goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois was the star, the Merengue team beat Stuttgart of Germany 3-1 on Tuesday, in a duel that took place at the Santiago Bernabéu stadium in the Spanish capital.
French star Kylian Mbappé and Brazilian young hope Endrick scored in their debut in the European tournament with the white jersey.
Trouble in the rearguard
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During the first half, Carlo Ancelotti’s men had serious problems at the back. The visitors had two clear chances in less than 10 minutes, but the first was repelled by Courtois and the second ended with a shot going wide.
Stuttgart had at least three more chances, but the Belgian goalkeeper kept his goal closed and they went into the break with a goalless draw.
The second half had barely begun and Real Madrid showed their class. On a counterattack, Rodrygo ran down the right flank and upon entering the area he passed to Kylian Mbappé, who finished into an empty net to make it 1-0.
The German team finally managed to break through the Whites’ goal with a header from Deniz Undav in the 68th minute, to bring the score back to level.
Madrid regained the lead with the same formula. Antonio Rüdiger scored the 2-1 in the 83rd minute from a corner taken by Luka Modric. In the 90+5th minute, Endrick took advantage of a counterattack and fired a left-footed shot from outside the area to make it 3-1.
Other matches
In other European matches, Juventus beat PSV Eindhoven 3-1, Aston Villa thrashed Young Boys 3-0, Sporting CP beat Lille 2-0, Liverpool won 3-1 against AC Milan and Bayern Munich massacred Dinamo Zagreb 9-2.
Puerto La Cruz / Javier A. Guaipo
#Real #Madrid #good #start #defending #Champions #League #crown
2024-09-18 07:15:51
– How did Real Madrid perform in their opening Champions League match against Stuttgart?
Real Madrid Kick-Starts Champions League Title Defense with 3-1 Win Over Stuttgart
The reigning Champions League champions, Real Madrid, got off to a flying start in their title defense, defeating Stuttgart 3-1 in their opening match of the 2024/2025 edition at the Santiago Bernabéu stadium in Madrid, Spain. Despite a shaky defense in the first half, the Merengue team rode on the brilliance of goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and the scoring prowess of French star Kylian Mbappé and Brazilian youngster Endrick to secure all three points.
Champions League Debut for Mbappé and Endrick
The highly-anticipated European debut of Kylian Mbappé and Endrick did not disappoint. Both players scored their first Champions League goals for Real Madrid, with Mbappé opening the scoring in the 48th minute and Endrick sealing the win with a strike in the 85th minute.
Trouble in the Rearguard
The first half was a tense affair, with Stuttgart creating several scoring opportunities that were thwarted by Courtois’s exceptional goalkeeping. The German team had at least three clear chances, but the Belgian shot-stopper was equal to the task, keeping his goal intact. Stuttgart’s pressure eventually subsided, and the teams went into the break goalless.
Real Madrid Finds Their Rhythm
The second half saw Real Madrid find their rhythm, and it was Rodrygo who sparked the attack that led to Mbappé’s opener. The Brazilian winger’s pace down the right flank caught Stuttgart off guard, and his precise pass to Mbappé allowed the French forward to slot the ball into an empty net.
Stuttgart’s Brief Respite
Stuttgart briefly threatened to derail Real Madrid’s momentum when Deniz Undav headed home in the 68th minute, leveling the scores at 1-1. However, the Merengue team regrouped and regained the lead through Antoinio Rüdiger’s powerful header in the 75th minute.
Endrick Cements the Win
Endrick, who replaced Mbappé in the 78th minute, made his mark on the game with a well-taken goal in the 85th minute. The Brazilian youngster’s strike sealed Real Madrid’s 3-1 win, sending the Santiago Bernabéu crowd into raptures.
Post-Match Reactions
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti was relieved to have secured the three points, acknowledging that his team had faced difficulties in defense. “We didn’t play well in the first half, but we improved in the second half. Courtois was fantastic, and our attacking players made the difference,” Ancelotti said in the post-match press conference.
Champions League Next Fixtures
Real Madrid will face Napoli in their next Champions League match on October 3, while Stuttgart will host Club Brugge on the same day.
Key Statistics
Real Madrid has won 17 of their last 20 Champions League matches at the Santiago Bernabéu.
Thibaut Courtois made 7 saves in the match, the highest in the Champions League so far this season.
* Kylian Mbappé has scored 10 goals in his last 12 Champions League appearances.
With this convincing win, Real Madrid has sent a strong signal to their rivals in the Champions League. The Merengue team’s attack, marshaled by Mbappé, Endrick, and Rodrygo, looks deadly, and their defense, despite some early jitters, seems solid enough to support their title defense. As the competition progresses, Real Madrid will be keen to build on this promising start and make a strong push for their 15th European Cup title.
– How did Real Madrid perform in their opening match of the Champions League defense against Stuttgart?
Real Madrid Gets Off to a Flying Start in Champions League Defense
Real Madrid, the current Champions League champion, has gotten off to a good start in defending their crown in the 2024/2025 edition of the European Champions League. In their opening match against Stuttgart of Germany, the Merengue team secured a 3-1 victory at the Santiago Bernabéu stadium in the Spanish capital.
Trouble in the Rearguard
Despite starting strong, Real Madrid faced difficulties in defense, especially in the first half. Stuttgart had two clear chances in less than 10 minutes, but goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois kept his goal closed, making crucial saves to deny the German team an early lead. Stuttgart continued to apply pressure, with at least three more chances to score, but Courtois stood tall, ensuring a goalless draw at halftime.
Real Madrid Finds Their Rhythm
The second half saw a different story, as Real Madrid showcased their class and skill. On a counterattack, Rodrygo ran down the right flank and found Kylian Mbappé, who finished into an empty net to make it 1-0. This goal marked Mbappé’s debut in the European tournament with the white jersey. Stuttgart managed to level the score with a header from Deniz Undav in the 68th minute, but Real Madrid regained the lead with a corner taken by Luka Modric, which was headed in by Antonio Rüdiger in the 83rd minute. In the 90+5th minute, Endrick took advantage of a counterattack and fired a left-footed shot from outside the area to make it 3-1, scoring his debut goal in the Champions League.
Other European Matches
In other Champions League matches, Juventus beat PSV Eindhoven 3-1, Aston Villa thrashed Young Boys 3-0, Sporting CP beat Lille 2-0, Liverpool won 3-1 against AC Milan, and Bayern Munich massacred Dinamo Zagreb 9-2.
Conclusion
Real Madrid’s win against Stuttgart marks a strong start to their Champions League campaign, despite some early defensive struggles. With their star players, including Kylian Mbappé and Endrick, showcasing their skills, the Merengue team looks poised to make a deep run in the tournament. As the competition heats up, Real Madrid will need to continue to adapt and improve if they hope to retain their Champions League crown.
Key Takeaways:
Real Madrid defeats Stuttgart 3-1 in their opening Champions League match
Kylian Mbappé and Endrick score their debut goals in the European tournament
Thibaut Courtois makes crucial saves to deny Stuttgart an early lead
Real Madrid faces defensive struggles in the first half but finds their rhythm in the second half
* Other European matches see Juventus, Aston Villa, Sporting CP, Liverpool, and Bayern Munich secure wins
