Real Madrid, the defending champion, has started another European conquest smoothly.
Real Madrid beat VfB Stuttgart 3-1 in the first leg of the 2024-2025 UEFA Champions League phase at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu in Madrid, Spain, at 4 a.m. on the 18th.
Starting this season, the Champions League will see the elimination of the group league and 36 teams advance to the finals, with eight randomly drawn teams, two from each of the four ports, to determine which teams will advance to the finals. Among the 36 teams, teams ranking first to eighth will advance to the round of 16, while teams ranking ninth to 24th will play in pairs for the playoffs. Among them, the winning team will advance to the round of 16.
Real Madrid got off to a good start when they caught Stuttgart, who made a splash in the Bundesliga last season, at home.
Real picked up a 4-3-3 formation. Vinicius Junior-Kylian Mbappe-Hodrigo was at the forefront, while Jude Bellingham-Orelien Chouameni-Federico Valverde filled the midfield. Ferland Mendy-Antonio Rudiger-Dani Carvajal-Lucas Vazquez set up a four-back and Thibaut Courtois kept the goal.
The first half ended 0-0. Real Madrid's penalty was declared in the 33rd minute on a corner, but it was canceled after VAR.
Real's first goal was scored in the first minute of the second half. Rodrigo caught the ball from the right side and immediately ran to the box to pass to Mbappe, who was rushing from the other side. Mbappe made no mistake and scored.
In the 14th minute of the second half, Real had a chance again. Vinicius, who caught the ball in front of the box, tried to shoot with his left foot but hit the post.
While Real faltered, Stuttgart tied the game. In the 22nd minute of the second half, Jamie Levilling received the ball with his head in the box and Dennis Undav scored.
Real's go-ahead goal came in the 38th minute of the second half. Luka Modric crossed from the left side and Rudiger, who jumped high, pushed it to the header.
Real Madrid sealed its victory. In the second half of extra time, Enric drove the ball forward and attempted a low and fast shot from a distance from the goal and shook the net as it was. 안전놀이터