The grand stage of the Santiago Bernabéu hosted a thrilling, yet somewhat worrying, start to Real Madrid's Champions League title defence. A 3-1 victory over a spirited Stuttgart side ultimately graced the scoreboard, but the performance itself was a far cry from the commanding displays Madridistas have come to expect. While the three points are undoubtedly valuable, the match underscored the defensive frailties and lack of cohesion that continue to plague Los Blancos.

 

First Half: Stuttgart's Early Pressure, Courtois Stands Tall

 

From the first whistle, the visitors, undeterred by the imposing Bernabéu or the illustrious reputation of their opponents, set the tempo with a high-pressing, fearless approach. Stuttgart, lining up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, relentlessly disrupted Madrid's attempts to build from the back. This high-octane start led to a series of early chances that had the home crowd on the edge of their seats.

 

In the 2nd minute, Leweling found space in the box but was thwarted by a brilliant save from Courtois, setting the stage for the Belgian's stellar performance. Stuttgart's relentless pursuit continued, with Millot squandering a one-on-one opportunity in the 8th minute, and Stiller forcing another spectacular save from the ever-dependable Courtois shortly after.

 

Madrid, lining up in a 4-3-3 with Carvajal filling in at centre-back due to a spate of injuries, struggled to string together any meaningful attacks. The midfield trio of Tchouaméni, Valverde, and the recently recovered Bellingham appeared disjointed, while the front three of Rodrygo, Mbappé, and Vinícius struggled to find space against Stuttgart's organised defence. Only Rodrygo, with his ventures down the right flank, and Mbappé, in sporadic bursts, offered glimpses of the attacking prowess that Madrid possessed.

 

Controversy unfolded in the 36th minute when the referee awarded a penalty to Madrid for a foul on Rüdiger, only for the decision to be overturned after a VAR review, adding to the frustration of the home crowd. Lucas Vázquez was booked in the 23rd minute for a rash challenge, and Mittelstädt received a yellow card in the 30th minute for a similar offence.

 

The first half ended goalless, a testament to Courtois' exceptional performance in goal. However, the scoreline failed to reflect Stuttgart's dominance, leaving Madridistas with a sense of unease.

 

Second Half: Madrid's Momentary Lead, Stuttgart's Fightback

 

The second half began with a renewed sense of urgency from Madrid. Just one minute after the restart, Tchouaméni threaded a pinpoint pass to Rodrygo, who in turn set up Mbappé for the opening goal. The goal seemed to galvanise Los Blancos, who improved their play and came close to extending their lead when Vinícius's powerful strike rattled the crossbar in the 59th minute.

 

However, Stuttgart - displaying the resilience and determination that propelled them to second place in the Bundesliga last season - refused to surrender. They continued to press and probe, and their efforts were rewarded in the 68th minute when Undav rose highest to head home a corner, silencing the Bernabéu and exposing Madrid's defensive frailties once again.

 

Another Classic “Remontada”: Rüdiger and Endrick Turn the Tide

 

With the game hanging in the balance, Ancelotti turned to his bench, bringing on Modric for Tchouaméni in the 69th minute. Stuttgart also made changes, with Chase and Rieder replacing Vagnoman and Führich in the 63rd minute, and Demirovic and Touré replacing Millot and Undav in the 75th minute. Madrid responded with Güler and Fran García coming on for Rodrygo and Mendy in the 75th minute.

 

It was then that Antonio Rüdiger, a product of the Stuttgart youth academy, stepped up to become the saviour for his current club. In the 83rd minute, the German centre-back rose majestically to meet a Modric corner, powering his header into the back of the net and sending the Bernabéu into raptures.

 

The excitement wasn't over yet. Deep into stoppage time, Endrick, who had replaced Bellingham in the 80th minute, sealed the victory with a moment of individual brilliance. The young Brazilian - displaying remarkable composure and audacity - led a counter-attack and, instead of passing to the more experienced Mbappé or Vinícius, unleashed a thunderous shot from distance, beating Nübel at his near post in the 95th minute. With this goal, Endrick not only secured the win but also etched his name in the history books, becoming the youngest goalscorer in Real Madrid's Champions League history at 18 years and 58 days.

 

Conclusion

 

Real Madrid claimed three vital points in their Champions League opener, but the performance was far from convincing. Stuttgart, with their brave and disciplined approach, deserved more and exposed the defensive problems of a Madrid side still finding its rhythm. Courtois, once again, was the hero of the night, while Rüdiger and Endrick's goals masked a game that could have gone very differently. The win should not hide the issues Ancelotti needs to fix if his team wants to defend their title. Young Endrick showed his enormous potential and is a bright hope for the future. Carvajal playing out of position at centre-back, due to injuries, adds to the uncertainties surrounding Madrid's season.