Even though they didn’t play very well at Santiago Bernabeu, the defending European winners still won 3-1.
This season, Real Madrid hasn’t quite found its rhythm, but they keep winning. Even though Real Madrid had another tough game on Tuesday, this time in the Champions League against Stuttgart, they still beat the German team 3-1. Carlo Ancelotti’s team had a terrible night until goals from Kylian Mbappe and Antonio Rudiger saved the day. They still look like they can be easily beaten.
Finally, Endrick scored a late goal that made things look a lot easier than they were. In the beginning, Stuttgart had the better of the play and made Thibaut Courtois make four important stops.
After 28 minutes, the guests got even closer when Deniz Undav’s shot was deflected and hit the bar. Madrid thought they had a penalty when Rudiger was brought down in the box just before halftime, but the judge said it was too easy.
But 30 seconds into the second half, Aurelien Tchouameni found Rodrygo, who then passed the ball to Mbappe, who scored from close range, shocking the guests. To make it even, Undav scored for Stuttgart with a header at the back post. Even though Jude Bellingham’s quick movements created chances, Mbappe’s constant threat along the front line helped the defending European champions get back on track after that defeat. Rudiger scored the game-winning goal, though, by hitting a cross into the bottom corner. Endrick then scored the third goal with a wild hit in extra time, making him the youngest player in Madrid’s Champions League history to score a goal.
Goalkeeper & Defence
Thibaut Courtois (7/10):
Made some impressive saves early on. Couldn’t do anything about Undav’s goal.
Lucas Vazquez (4/10):
Really poor defensively in the first half, and was deservedly hooked at the interval.
Dani Carvajal (6/10):
Doesn’t look comfortable at centre-back, and settled far more effectively when moved to the right after the break.
Antonio Rudiger (8/10):
Went down too easily to try win a penalty, and rightly saw it overturned. Mixed defensively, but scored the winner with a fine header.
Ferland Mendy (3/10):
Caught brutally out of position on a number of occasions to allow Stuttgart easy chances early. Made a mess of things to allow Undav’s leveller, too.
Midfield
Aurelien Tchouameni (7/10):
Not exactly solid at the base of midfield, but did put in a few important challenges when required.
Jude Bellingham (7/10):
A solid return to the pitch after a spell on the sidelines. Created a few good chances and made everything look lots of fun.
Federico Valverde (6/10):
A rare poor game. Totally frantic in the middle of the park, and really struggled to hold everything together as the visitors attacked relentlessly.
Attack
Rodrygo (7/10):
Full of energy on the right. Put two shots on target and assisted Mbappe. Played with the kind of intent of a man angered not to be nominated for the Ballon d’Or.
Kylian Mbappe (7/10):
Tested the keeper a few times in the first half, grabbed his deserved goal in the second.
Vinicius Jr (6/10):
Quiet until he rattled the bar in the second half. Not his most active showing.
Subs & Manager
Eder Militao (5/10):
Replaced the lacklustre Vazquez at half-time. Didn’t cover himself in glory in the Stuttgart equaliser. He’s still not at his best.
Luka Modric (8/10):
Helped up the tempo after being brought on. Assisted the winner.
Arda Guler (N/A):
No time to make an impact.
Fran Garcia (N/A):
Offered valuable energy on the left.
Endrick (N/A):
A few bright touches, before he bashed one home in stoppage time.
Carlo Ancelotti (5/10):
Got his big names back, but will be concerned by the performance once again. Madrid were too easy to play against and relied on some pretty poor finishing – as well as individual class – to wrap up a win.