Real Madrid, the reigning UEFA Champions League champions, will commence their 2024-25 campaign at home against VfB Stuttgart, the German Bundesliga runners-up. The match, scheduled for Wednesday, September 18 (IST), marks the first of eight group games in the revamped Champions League format.
Real Madrid, under the guidance of manager Carlo Ancelotti, will be bolstered by the return of midfield stars Jude Bellingham and Aurelien Tchouameni from injury. The Spanish giants have enjoyed a positive start to their La Liga campaign, with summer signing Kylian Mbappe scoring in their previous two matches.
Stuttgart, on the other hand, have endured an inconsistent start to their Bundesliga season, winning one, drawing one, and losing one of their opening three fixtures. The German club will be eager to make a statement against the European champions and secure a positive result in their first Champions League group stage match.
The match will be played at the iconic Estadio Santiago Bernabeu in Madrid, with kickoff scheduled for 12:30 AM (IST). Fans can catch the live telecast on the Sony Sports network, while live streaming will be available on the SonyLIV app and website.
Real Madrid will be the heavy favorites heading into the match, but Stuttgart will be determined to cause an upset. The German club has a history of performing well in European competitions, reaching the semi-finals of the UEFA Europa League in 2018.
The return of Bellingham and Tchouameni will provide a significant boost to Real Madrid’s midfield, while Mbappe’s goalscoring prowess will be crucial in breaking down Stuttgart’s defense. The German club will need to be at their best to contain Real Madrid’s attacking threats and create chances of their own.
The match promises to be an exciting clash between two teams with contrasting styles and ambitions. Real Madrid will be aiming to extend their dominance in Europe, while Stuttgart will be looking to make a name for themselves on the continental stage.
