Real Madrid begin the defence of their Champions League title on Tuesday at 4pm (Brasilia time) against Stuttgart. It is the first of eight rounds of the new league phase between the record holder of Champions League trophies – the Spanish national team has won the tournament 15 times – and the German national team, back in the competition after 15 years.
The occasion is special for Mbappé. The main signing of the season, the French striker will play his first Champions League match wearing the Real Madrid shirt. The star, created by Monaco and coming from Paris Saint-Germain, has no titles in the competition; he came close in 2019/20, being runner-up with PSG. Endrick, formerly of Palmeiras, could also make his debut in the competition.
To become champions again, Real Madrid will need to play at least two more games. The group stage, with six round-robin matches, gave way to the league stage, with eight matches against different rivals. A top eight finish is important to go straight to the last 16, avoiding the two-legged play-off.
The format changes, but the favourites are always the same, including Real Madrid. There are others. There are people who think we are favourites because we won last season. This Champions League will be a different story and hopefully we will reach the final – said coach Carlo Ancelotti.
Real Madrid will be able to count on Bellingham, Tchouaméni and Éder Militão, who recently returned from injury. The Brazilian defender caused a brief concern by not taking part in training the day before, but his absence was justified by “the need for an extra day of rest”, according to Ancelotti. The medical department’s list of players also includes Alaba, Camavinga, Ceballos and Brahim Díaz.
Bundesliga runners-up Stuttgart, on their return to the Champions League, immediately face a challenge away from home. A big test for a squad that has been rebuilt during the transfer market, after departures such as that of striker Guirassy, runner-up in the last German Championship, with 28 goals, and defender Anton, both to Borussia Dortmund, current runners-up in the Champions League. Coming away with a good result from the Santiago Bernabéu is the German team’s objective.