VfB Stuttgart narrowly beaten by holders Real Madrid in UEFA Champions League opener

VfB Stuttgart were undone by a couple of late goals after pushing holders Real Madrid to the limit on their return to the UEFA Champions League.

Real Madrid 3-1 VfB Stuttgart
Goals: 1-0 Mbappé 46' (assist: Rodrygo), 1-1 Undav 68' (assist: Leweling), 2-1 Rüdiger 83' (assist: Modrić), 3-1 Endrick 90'+5 (assist: Carvajal)

There were shades of Union Berlin's brave efforts in defeat to Madrid last season as Stuttgart smoothered the defending champions for large parts of an encouraging first-half display. After Aurélien Tchouaméni shot wide for the hosts, Sebastian Hoeneß's side took charge as Enzo Millot drove wide and Jamie Leweling tested the reflexes of Thibaut Courtois. Real's custodian then denied Millot, before brilliantly getting something on Angelo Stiller's attempted chip. Alexander Nübel followed suit to prevent Kylian Mbappé from breaking the deadlock against the run of play, the Bayern Munich loanee also saving well from Rodrygo in the ensuing passage of play. Germany forward Deniz Undav did beat Courtois with a deflected strike in the 28th minute, only for the ball to cannon off the crossbar.

Maximilian Mittelstädt survived a VAR check for a penalty late in the first half, but the Stuttgart left-back could do nothing to stop Real forging ahead immediately after the restart. His attempted challenge only helped the ball into the path of Rodrygo, who raced away and set up Mbappé to send a routine finish beyong Nübel. Vinícius Júnior rattled the woodwork as Real turned the screw, but Stuttgart rode the storm and got themselves back on level terms with over 20 minutes remaining. Leweling won and took a corner from which Undav angled a superb header back across goal and past Courtois. Madrid were shell-shocked but, as they do so often in the Champions League, found a way to win. After ex-Stuttgart defender Antonio Rüdiger headed home unmarked from a Luka Modrić corner, Nübel let Endrick's long-range effort slip through his fingers, along with all hopes of a positive result, in added time.

Watch: VfB Stuttgart fans out in force in Madrid

Match stats

• Stuttgart are playing Champions League/ European Cup football for the fifth time, and first since reaching the 2009/10 round of 16.
• Undav has scored 22 goals in 39 Bundesliga, DFB Cup, Supercup and Champions League appearances for Stuttgart.
• Cacau was the last Stuttgart player to score in the Champions League, doing so against Barcelona in February 2010.
• Of all the players in the Stuttgart starting line-up in Madrid, only Nübel and Stiller had played Champions League football before.
• Stuttgart are the 16th German club to face Real in the Champions League.
• Rüdiger, Jude Bellingham and Dani Carvajal have made a combined 190 Bundesliga appearances.

Line-ups

Real: Courtois - Vázquez (Militão 46'), Carvajal (c), Rüdiger, Mendy (Fran Garcia 76') - Tchouaméni (Modrić 70'), Valverde - Rodrygo (Arda Güler 76'), Bellingham (Endrick 80'), Vinicius Junior - Mbappé
Unused subs: Fran, Lunin, Vallejo
Out: Alaba (knee), Camavinga (knee), Ceballos (ankle)
Coach: Carlo Ancelotti 

Stuttgart: Nübel - Vagnoman (Chase 63'), Rouault (Zagadou 90'), Chabot, Mittelstädt - Karazor (c), Stiller, Leweling, Millot (Touré 76'), Führich (Rieder 63') - Undav (Demirović 76')
Unused subs: Bredlow, Seimen, Krätzig, Stenzel, Keitel, Raimund
Out: Al-Dakhil (muscular), Nartey (knee), Raimund (groin), Stergiou (back)
Coach: Sebastian Hoeneß

As it happened!

3 - 1

(0 - 0)

Madrid

FINAL

Stuttgart

Champions League
League phase, Matchday 1 League phase, Matchday 1 Estadio Santiago Bernabéu, Madrid

Full-time: Real Madrid 3-1 Stuttgart

A game of two halves. Stuttgart dominated the first and would have led, only for the heroics of Thibaut Courtois in the Real goal. The hosts were a different beast after the break and took the lead through Kylian Mbappé. VfB battled back with a Deniz Undav header but former Stuttgart man Antonio Rüdiger edged the men in white in front, before Endrick wrapped things up for the defending European champions.

© IMAGO/Eibner-Pressefoto/joerg Nieberga

90'

+ 5

Game, set and match

Real Madrid break up the pitch at pace. Endrick runs and runs and gets in sight of goal. The Brazilian shoots low and Nübel can only push the ball into the net. It's been a bad night for Stuttgart's goalkeeper here, with the custodian also at fault for Madrid's second of the night.

90'

+ 5

Endrick

GOAL!

3:1

90'

+ 4

Nübel prevents Vinícius

Endrick slides a pass in for Vinícius, who can finish Stuttgart off. Nübel makes a crucial block to deny the striker and keep VfB in with the slightest of chances.

90'

+ 2

VfB try again

Karazor's flighted ball to the back stick seeks out Touré, who goes down under pressure from Modrić. Nothing doing, says the referee.

90'

Time added on

There will be five minutes of added time played here.

89'

Substitution

Dan-Axel Zagadou

Anthony Rouault

87'

Touré off target

Can Stuttgart come back again? Touré heads harmlessly wide after the visitors mount a late attack.

83'

Hosts hit the front

This is far too easy. A Luka Modrić corner lands on Rüdiger's head and flies into the empty net. The ex-Stuttgart man has punished some poor defending by the visitors.

83'

Rüdiger

GOAL!

2:1

80'

Endrick on

Real Madrid bring their 18-year-old Brazilian forward Endrick on for Bellingham, who has put in a shift here.

80'

Substitution

Endrick

Bellingham

79'

Yellow card

Militão

78'

Yellow card

Valverde

75'

Subs time

Changes on both sides going into the final quarter. In one of those changes, Stuttgart striker Ermedin Demirović - in fine form for his new side of late - replaces goalscorer Deniz Undav.

75'

Substitution

El Bilal Touré

Enzo Millot

75'

Substitution

Ermedin Demirović

Deniz Undav

75'

Substitution

Güler

Rodrygo

75'

Substitution

García

Mendy

72'

Undav forced out

Stuttgart are going for it. Undav latches onto a through pass and enters a battle with Antonio Rüdiger. The Madrid defender wins out.

70'

Madrid change

The hosts bring veteran Luka Modrić into the game for the final 20 minutes.

70'

Substitution

Modrić

Tchouameni

68'

Undav levels it!

Leweling has yet another shot blocked wide. From the resulting corner, the same players heads back across the goal, where Undav connects and angles a wonderful header back across Courtois and in! The 4,200 visiting fans erupt.

68'

Deniz Undav

GOAL!

1:1

64'

Leweling has a pop

Leweling's shot is easy enough for Courtois to stop.

63'

Double swap

Sebastian Hoeneß makes an attacking change, with Arnie Chase and Fabian Rieder thrown into the action for the visitors.

63'

Substitution

Fabian Rieder

Chris Führich

63'

Substitution

Anrie Chase

Josha Vagnoman

60'

Yellow card

Ancelotti

60'

Ancelotti booked

Vinícius goes down and the Madrid coach is miffed. He lets his frustrations be known and the referee brandishes a yellow card in the Italian's face.

59'

That man Courtois

The home goalkeeper is down once more to beat out Leweling's drive.

58'

Madrid hit the woodwork

Carvajal controls the ball and rolls a pass across the area to Vinícius, who takes a touch and spanks a rising shot against the crossbar.

56'

VfB gather themselves

This is more like it from Stuttgart. Leweling and Vagnoman combine well down the right, the latter hitting a cross-shot that makes Courtois work.

Madrid well on top

Following a super first half, Stuttgart are now very much up against it. Real Madrid made a defensive change at the beginning of the half, with Militão replacing Vázquez, but it was likely more a Carlo Ancelotti roasting at the break that has produced this dramatic change in the hosts.

© IMAGO/M.Gracia Jimenez

50'

Tiki Taka

Suddenly Real Madrid are on fire in this game. A sweeping move forward ends up with Valverde passing right to Rodrygo, whose scooped effort is deflected wide.

48'

Mbappé hungry

The France striker is in again on the left and opts to shoot. Nübel parries the ball away.

46'

Real Madrid lead

What a start to the second half for the hosts. Tchouameni launches a pass from the back for Rodrygo to chase. Maximilian Mittelstädt sticks out a leg to try to intercept the pass but he can only poke it along into the Brazilian's path. The Madrid attacker gets into the area and slides across for Mbappé, who knocks home his first Champions League goal in Real Madrid colours.

46'

Mbappé

GOAL!

1:0

46'

Away we go again

The second half is underway ...

46'

Substitution

Militão

Vázquez

Half-time: Real Madrid 0-0 Stuttgart

VfB have taken to this game against the reigning European champions like Champions League regulars. An almost perfect half from Sebastian Hoeneß's side was just lacking a goal and but for Thibaut Courtois, the Swabians would be leading here.

© IMAGO/Juan Perez / PRESSINPHOTO

45'

Time added on

We'll have four minutes tacked onto the end of this first half.

45'

Top marks Rouault

Anthony Rouault does exceptionally well to deny Mbappé a shooting opportunity when the striker looked to have worked his way into a very dangerous position.

42'

Stiller loses focus

Stiller walks himself into big trouble trying to play out from the back. Mbappé takes the ball and is about to strike, when the VfB defenders swarm and force the forward out.

40'

VfB back on the attack

Undav tees up Leweling, whose shot is blocked out by Courtois. The referee calls the action back for an offside.

Mittelstädt relief

The Germany international breathes a sigh of relief. He swiped at the air with Rüdiger in close proximity and although mightily close to making contact with the Madrid defender, there was ultimately none.

© IMAGO/Pressinphoto/Shutterstock

34'

No penalty

The referee checks his screen and sees that there was no contact between Mittelstädt and Rüdiger. On we go.

34'

Penalty Madrid?

Mittelstädt tries to hack the ball away inside the Real Madrid area but looks to have caught Rüdiger instead. The referee points to the spot, however, we'll have this one checked.

32'

Madrid time

It's end to end now. Rodrygo has a shot deflected over and then another gathered by Nübel moments later.

30'

Mittelstädt booked

Mittelstädt tugs Rodrygo back and is shown a yellow.

30'

Yellow card

Maximilian Mittelstädt

28'

VfB hit the woodwork

Madrid look to force a goal at one end, lose possession and are suddenly back tracking to stop a Stuttgart counter. Undav runs at Carvajal and gets a shot away. The ball clips Madrid's captain and loops over a stranded Courtois and onto the crossbar.

25'

Nübel stops Mbappé

That had 1-0 written all over it. Mbappé with the ball inside the area on the left and shaping to shoot towards the far corner. Nübel's two-handed save denies the French striker. Stuttgart's keeper is alert again soon afterwards to save from Rodrygo.

23'

Vázquez booked

Lucas Vázquez hauls down Chris Führich and the Real Madrid man goes into the referee's notebook.

23'

Yellow card

Vázquez

22'

Madrid spark

Vinícius beats Vagnoman and chips the ball back for Mbappé, who goes for a cheeky spin and back heel, which doesn't come off. Goal kick.

20'

Possession stats

The Swabians have had 69 per cent of the ball to date. No wonder their fans are the only ones who can be heard at the moment.

Stuttgart in the zone

Madrid may be the home team here, but it's VfB who are playing more like this is their stadium, with the Bundesliga side bossing Vinícius & Co.

© IMAGO/Jose Breton

15'

Goalkeeping masterclass

A fine, one-touch build-up from Stuttgart ends with Stiller looking to dink a finish over Courtois, who makes one more incredible save to deny VfB. There may have been an offside in the build-up there.

13'

Millot has a go

Millot spanks a high shot at the Madrid goal and up goes Courtois to palm the effort over. The home goalkeeper is getting a solid workout in here.

10'

Courtois to the rescue

Leweling gets a thumping drive at the target away and Courtois is forced to get down and push the effort out with two hands. At the other end, Nübel fields a weak Mbappé effort.

Stuttgart enjoying themselves

Just ten minutes gone here and the visitors are giving Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti plenty to think about. The Bundesliga side arguably should be leading.

© IMAGO/Jose Breton

8'

Millot should score

Madrid lose possession and Undav hooks a through pass into Millot, who is suddenly on his own against Courtois. The French attacker slashes a shot wide of the far post. That was a big, big chance for Stuttgart.

6'

Real Madrid chances

Führich is sloppy in possession and suddenly Madrid's gameplan is there for all to see. Rodrygo breaks with pace and bounds up the pitch. The Brazilian is eventually forced out. Soon afterwards, Tchouameni side-foots high and wide when well positioned.

4'

Visitors in the zone

VfB are taking this game to Real Madrid in these early stages. Stiller gets into a good central position and manages to get a shot away, which is deflected away from the target.

2'

Big chance Stuttgart!

The Bundesliga side are straight out of the traps and running at the hosts. Leweling strikes from a tight angle out right and Courtois is forced into a save.

1'

Peeeep!

Stuttgart are back in the Champions League and they kick off their league phase in the Spanish capital against the defending European champions.

Teams out!

Both sides take to the field and line up for the Champions League anthem.

Madrid anthem

The home fans sing out "Hala Madrid" as we await the appearance of both sides.

VfB fan power!

There are 4,200 Stuttgart supporters inside the Santiago Bernabéu tonight and the visiting supporters are making all the noise at the moment.

2:06

Lest we forget

Madrid's returning midfielder Jude Bellingham played 132 games for VfB's Bundesliga rivals Borussia Dortmund.

1:27

Undav leading the line

Deniz Undav made his loan move from English Premier League side Brighton a permanent one at the start of the current campaign and the Germany international is rewarded with a start at the Santiago Bernabéu this evening. Undav scored 19 goals in all competitions for the Swabians last season and will be looking to help the visitors make history in the Spanish capital.

More on those teams

Sebastian Hoeneß makes three changes to the side that started the 3-1 weekend win against Borussia Mönchengladbach. In come Anthony Rouault, Enzo Millot and Chris Führich, while Anrie Chase, Fabian Rieder and Ermedin Demirović drop to the bench. Madrid's Danny Carvajal will play in central defence with Éder Militão rested, while former Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jude Bellingham returns.

© Alexander Hassenstein

Real Madrid starting XI

Courtois - Vázquez, Carvajal (c), Rüdiger, Mendy - Rodrygo, Tchouameni, Valverde - Bellingham - Mbappé, Vinícius

Real Madrid subs

Lunin, González (GK), Militão, Modrić, Güler, Endrick, Vallejo, García

Stuttgart starting XI

Nübel - Vagnoman, Rouault, Chabot, Mittelstädt - Karazor (c), Stiller - Leweling, Millot, Führich - Undav

Stuttgart subs

Bredlow, Seimen, Keitel, Demirović, Touré, Krätzig, Stenzel, Zagadou, Rieder, Raimund, Chase

0:36

VfB fans on the move!

Madrid is turning red as Stuttgart fans make their way towards the Santiago Bernabéu.

0:56

Stuttgart are back 🙌

VfB are raring to go on their return to European club football's top table.

"Dream come true"

Sticking with Demirović, the VfB forward made his professional debut at Barcelona's Nou Camp while playing for Álaves. The 26-year-old was also at Amlería in Spain. Speaking with Spanish sports daily Marca this week, he said, "Debuting in the Champions League at the Santiago Bernabéu - one of the best stadiums in the world - and against one of the best teams is a dream come true."

© IMAGO/Laci Perenyi

Ermedin vs Kylian

Stuttgart's big summer signing has five goals in seven games for club and country, Madrid's has four in six matches for his club, but drew a blank in two games for France earlier this month.

© IMAGO/Frank Hoermann/SVEN SIMON

2:03

Watch: Mönchengladbach 1-3 Stuttgart - highlights

Stuttgart picked up their first win of the season thanks to a goal from Deniz Undav and a brace from Ermedin Demirović. Their European opponents have three wins and two draws from their opening five La Liga games, defeating Real Sociedad 2-0 last weekend.

How do the new European competition formats work?

The UEFA Champions League, Europa League and Conference League have all undergone a revamp for the 2024/25 season. There are more teams, more games and a new ‘Swiss’-style format. Check out the article on bundesliga.com to find out how it’s all going to work.

© IMAGO/Eibner-Pressefoto/Memmler

Khedira: "Stuttgart must be brave"

Sami Khedira has told former club Stuttgart they need to “be courageous” when they face Kylian Mbappé, Jude Bellingham and European title-holders Real Madrid in Tuesday’s UEFA Champions League opener.

© Pressefoto Rudel/Robin Rudel via www.imago-images.de/imago images/Sportfoto Rudel

2:57

Welcome to gameday!

VfB are back in the big time and have the tough task of taking on the competition's reigning record champions, Real, in their first game tonight (kick-off: 9pm CEST). As you can see here, though, they've raring to go...

Carlo Ancelotti doffs hat to Stuttgart

"Sebastian Hoeneß did a fantastic job last year," Real's head coach said at his pre-match press conference on Monday. "They are a very good team, well organised and tomorrow we are going to see a very entertaining match."

Hoeneß's view on Real

"We want to play with courage and bravery and perform well. That will increase the chances of getting a good result. We’re going into the game with the necessary respect for an opponent with outstanding qualities. Real Madrid are the reigning Champions League holders. We want to cause a surprise and play in the same way that we do in the Bundesliga. We have to be wide awake and highly concentrated. It is also important that we bring our strengths on to the pitch. We also believe that we can get at Real at times."

© Imago

Past experience

Stuttgart are playing in the Champions League for a fourth time. They reached the Round of 16 in their last appearance in the tournament back in 2009/10, going out to Barcelona.

© IMAGO/Pressefoto Rudel/Herbert Rudel

Plenty to ponder

Stuttgart's opening task will be a tough one, even when judging on past encounters against Spanish opponents in the Champions League. Die Schwaben have never beaten opponents from Spain in this competition, losing four of six encounters. VfB did, however, beat Madrid-based side Getafe twice in the 2010/11 UEFA Europa League.

© IMAGO/Pressefoto Rudel/Herbert Rudel

Familiar faces, part II

Guess who? It's Real Madrid and Germany defender Antonio Rüdiger, of course! 'Toni' - a two-time Champions League winner with Chelsea and Madrid - played 66 Bundesliga games for Stuttgart between 2011 and 2015.

© imago sportfotodienst

Hey Jude 👋

There are some familiar faces in this Real Madrid team for Bundesliga watchers, one of whom is ex Borussia Dortmund star Jude Bellingham. Of the six games BVB played against Stuttgart during Bellingham's three top-flight campaigns in Germany, the Black-and-Yellows won four, drew one and lost one.

© IMAGO/Ruben Albarran/Shutterstock

12:00

Who are ya?

Think you're well informed on all there is to know about VfB Stuttgart? Think again, and get schooled up with our explainer on the southern giants.

3:28

Super season

Stuttgart made it into this season's Champions League following a fantastic, second-placed Bundesliga finish in 2023/24. Relive some of their best moments from a memorable campaign right here!

What a prospect!

Stuttgart at the Santiago Bernabéu facing reigning European champions Real Madrid to kick-start a new UEFA Champions League campaign! What better way for the Swabians to mark their return to the top table of European football for the first time in 15 years.

© IMAGO/Eibner-Pressefoto/Memmler

Welcome!

Thanks for joining us for build-up and live coverage of VfB Stuttgart's opening UEFA Champions League game of the 2024/25 league phase away at Real Madrid of Spain.

About the clubs

VfB Stuttgart

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