The defending champions, Real Madrid, began their UEFA Champions League campaign with a 3-1 victory against a resilient Stuttgart side.
Los Blancos began the fixture with one change to the expected lineup, with Dani Carvajal starting as the centre-back instead of Eder Militao, and Lucas Vazquez consequently taking the Spaniard’s position.
Thibaut Courtois was forced into action just two minutes into the game when he had to keep out Jamie Leweling’s shot at goal. Stuttgart pressed Madrid’s players heavily and that tactic almost paid off when Enzo Millot was one on one against the Belgian but slotted the ball wide.
The Courtois show continued in the opening half as the German side had as many as 9 shots at goal with 3 being saved by the 32-year-old.
Real Madrid had their fair share of chances too but the decision-making in the final third was questionable. Vinícius and Mbappe both found it easy on the left-wing and made life difficult for Max Mittelstädt.
Sebastian Hoeness’ men arguably were the better side in the first half and probably would have been in front by three goals if it was not for some poor finishing and great goalkeeping.
Madrid’s defence was opened up easily at times and as a result, Carlo Ancelotti made a half-time substitution by bringing on Eder Militao on for Lucas Vazquez, who was having a difficult time.
Just 30 seconds into the second half, what seemed like a wayward pass from Tchouameni somehow landed in Rodrygo’s path, who made a pacy run near the box and squared the ball simply to Kylian Mbappe and the Frenchman put the ball in the empty net.
The Merengues continued to have chance after chance to put the game to bed but were unable to do so. Vinícius Júnior, in particular was having a rather quiet night but was not far away from making it 2 as his thunderous strike hit the cross bar.
Stuttgart’s hard work finally paid off after a perfectly timed header from Deniz Undav ended up in the back of the net in the 68th minute. But the game was far from over as from there on, Madrid players and the fans showed why 90 minutes at the Bernabeu is a long time.
Luka Modric’s substitution worked wonders as the Croatian weaved his magic and put a perfect ball in from the corner for Antonio Rüdiger to latch on to and give Los Blancos the late lead.
The game seemed to be over at 2-1 but Endrick, in particular, had other ideas. In the dying moments of the match, a counter-attack opportunity arose for Madrid and the ball fell to the young Brazilian.
Endrick had Mbappe on his left and Vinicius on his right but the striker ran across the pitch and struck a powerful left footed shot into the back of the night to cap off the night on what was a hard-fought win.
Carlo Ancelotti went on to acknowledge the fact in the post-match presser, that his team did suffer but in the Champions League you cannot win games without doing so.
The Merengues struggled, and it seems like there is some chemistry building, but the decision-making has to improve in the final third from this game on.
Stuttgart came to the Bernabeu on a mission but did not finish their chances and, as a result, Madrid showed them who is the boss in the UCL.
The men in white play their next two games at home against Espanyol and Alaves before the blockbuster fixture – the Madrid derby.
