VfB Stuttgart returns to European football's main stage after a 15-year hiatus, and what better way to re-enter the limelight than a mouthwatering tie against 15-times winners of the competition in Real Madrid.
Sebastian Hoeneß has made 3 changes to his team that overcame Borussia Mönchengladbach on a 3-1 scoreline last Saturday. Somewhat surprisingly, Ermedin Demirović drops to the bench.
The sole swap in defence sees Anrie Chase replaced by fit again Anthony Rouault. Meanwhile, Enzo Millot and Chris Führich will play either side of Deniz Undav up top, as Fabian Rieder and the aforementioned Demirović make their way to the dugout.
As for the Galacticos from the Spanish capital, their lineup is as star-studded as ever. Carlo Ancelotti opts for 4 alterations from their 2-0 win over Real Sociedad on the weekend.
Eder Militão drops out for Lucas Vázquez as Dani Carvajal makes an unorthodox move inside to right centre-half. Aurelien Tchouameni replaces the experienced Luka Modrić, while Brahim Diaz and Arda Güler depart for Jude Bellingham and Rodrygo.
VfB Stuttgart (4-3-3): Nübel - Vagnoman, Rouault, Chabot, Mittelstädt - Leweling, Stiller, Karazor (c) - Millot, Undav, Führich
The defending UEFA Champions League winners are one of the first clubs to take the pitch in the tournament on Tuesday, Sept. 17 as Real Madrid takes on VfB Stuttgart at Santiago Bernabéu in Madrid, Spain as the Champions League debuts a new format
The match is scheduled to start at 3 p.m. EST and will be broadcast on UniMás. Fans looking to watch can do so through FuboTV or DirecTV Stream, both of which offer a free trial. SlingTV doesn’t offer a free trial but does have other promotional offers available.
Paramount+ offers exclusive live streams and on-demand replays of all UEFA Champions League matches and when you sign up, you get a free week trial.
This is the first year with the new league phase format instead of a Group Stage at the UEFA Champions League, along with the other UEFA tournaments. Starting with the 2024-25 competition, the tournament increases to 36 teams instead of 32, with each team playing eight matches against two teams from each the four seeding groups. It will also feature a playoff phase that includes 16 teams fighting for the final eight spots in the knockout phase, which starts in the Round of 16. The top eight in the table are automatically placed in the Round of 16 while ninth through 24th compete in the playoff, with the bottom 12 teams being eliminated.
When Matchday 2 comes around in early October Real Madrid will take on Lille OSC and Stuttgart will go against AC Sparta Praha.
Key Players
Real Madrid
Real Madrid’s success will, as ever, largely depend on the brilliance of their forward line. The acquisition of Kylian Mbappé on a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain this summer is a huge boost, but the French superstar is not the only attacking force.
Vinicius Jr. is a proven goal threat, and Jude Bellingham arrives from Borussia Dortmund as a midfield maestro and creative spark.
VfB Stuttgart
Stuttgart's main man is Deniz Undav, a 27-year-old striker who arrived from Cologne this summer. He'll be looking to make an impact for the team on the big stage. The young German midfielder Angelo Stiller is another one to keep an eye on.
The New Champions League Format
The 2024-25 season marks a significant change in the UEFA Champions League, moving from a group stage format to a league phase format. In this new format, there will be 36 teams competing against one another over eight matchdays. The top eight teams automatically qualify for the Round of 16, while the next 16 teams (ninth through 24th) will compete in a playoff round.
This new format means more competition and a longer, more challenging season for the participating teams, and more exciting matches for the fans. The league phase format was introduced to increase the number of games between the top clubs in Europe and to create a more dynamic competition throughout the season. The change has been met with mixed reactions. Some argue that the new format is a step backwards, while others believe it will make the Champions League more competitive and exciting.
Where to Watch
You can catch all the Champions League action on Paramount+, which offers live streams and on-demand replays. FuboTV and DirecTV Stream are other options offering live streams with free trial periods. Be sure to check out SlingTV as well, as it also has special offers.
The Match
The match between Real Madrid and VfB Stuttgart promises to be a clash of styles. Real Madrid will likely control possession and dominate with their attacking firepower, while Stuttgart may look to frustrate Real Madrid and try to catch them on the counterattack.
This match will be a great test for both teams. Stuttgart will be looking to make a statement on their return to the Champions League. Meanwhile, Real Madrid will be looking to make a strong start to their title defense.
This is a match that shouldn't be missed!
Final Thoughts
The new format has brought a buzz to the Champions League as the tournament takes on a new format. Teams will be looking to make their mark on the new league phase format as the competition kicks off. The match between Real Madrid and VfB Stuttgart is just one of many exciting clashes to come this season. This season promises to be a wild ride for fans of the Champions League. It will be exciting to see which teams emerge as the best in Europe.
