Real Madrid 3-1 VfB Stuttgart: Player ratings as late goals from Rudiger and Endrick sink spirited Red Army

Real Madrid began their Champions League title defense with a 3-1 defeat of Stuttgart at the Santiago Bernabeu. It wasn’t a straight-forward victory for the Whites, who were given a tough fight from their visitors, playing in the competition for the first time since 2010. Indeed, there were no goals in the first half as the sides went into the break 0-0.

However, Kylian Mbappe broke the deadlock just seconds into the restart. Deniz Undav then made it 1-1 for Stuttgart in the 68th minute, but Antonio Rudiger restored Madrid’s lead with only seven minutes of normal time remaining. Endrick then came off the bench to add a third. Here are the player ratings for Real Madrid and Stuttgart.

Real Madrid Player Ratings vs Stuttgart

Goalkeeper

Thibaut Courtois – 7.5

The Real Madrid custodian was kept busy by Stuttgart’s surprisingly sprightly forwards, but he came up trumps most of the time. He was equal to everything thrown at him and made a series of big stops to prevent them from taking the lead in the game.

Defenders

Lucas Vazquez – 6

An uncharacteristically poor game for Vazquez, who was below his best on the night. While his passes were largely accurate, the Spaniard couldn’t add much to Real Madrid’s attack and was hooked off at the break as he had also received a booking in the first half.

Dani Carvajal – 7

The Real Madrid skipper was a towering figure in defense, despite playing in the unusual centre-back position here. Demonstrating excellent reading of the game combined with great positional awareness, Carvajal didn’t allow much space for Stuttgart’s forwards to work into.

Antonio Rudiger – 8

The mortar to Real Madrid’s brick, Rudiger’s excellent vision saw him make a few vital clearances when Stuttgart appeared to threaten and passed the ball around well too as Los Blancos looked to build from the back. He later emerged as their unlikely hero too, restoring their lead with only seven minutes of normal time remaining.

Ferland Mendy – 7

The Frenchman was a vivacious presence down the left, completing over 90% of his passes and creating a few chances too by combining his vision with excellent control on the ball. He even sent in a few long balls forward as Mendy was a handful for his opposite number.

Midfielders

Federico Valverde – 6.5

His passing was top notch as always, but the Uruguayan struggled to win his duels. He also lost possession a few times and couldn’t complete his dribbles as much as usual.

Aurelien Tchouameni – 6.5

The Frenchman circulated the ball well, accurately passing it around for his teammates to keep Real Madrid going. He even attempted to impede Stuttgart’s movements with a few vital interceptions, while managing to get a few shots away as Tchouameni looked to bag his first goal in the Champions League.

Jude Bellingham – 6.5

The English star was relatively subdued in the game, struggling to get out of second gear and exercise his usual influence on the proceedings, but had his moments in bits and parts.

Forwards

Rodrygo – 7.5

The Brazilian was lacking in his usual attacking boots but played a key role in recovering the ball. He drove back to win back possession and came away successfully quite a few times, before laying it off for his attacking cohorts. He even set up Mbappe for their opening goal with superb technique.

Kylian Mbappe – 8.5

Real Madrid’s marquee signing of the summer positioned himself high up the pitch to receive service and tested the Stuttgart defense with his directness, strength, and attacking impetus. Mbappe then fired Real Madrid in front with a simple goal just seconds into the restart.

Vinicius Junior – 7

His pace and ball control were top-notch as usual while he also created a few good chances in the game. Given the threat he posed, Stuttgart players were always biting at the heels of the Brazilian and managed to dispossess him more times than he would have liked.

Substitutes

Eder Militao – 7

The defender played a key role in their first goal as he sent in a long ball for Rodrygo to latch onto before the winger set up Mbappe.

Luka Modric – 6.5

The Croatian brought in plenty of experience and quality in the last 20 minutes when Real Madrid added fresh legs. He also bagged the assist for Rudiger’s goal.

Fran Garcia – 6

A couple of good passes from the youngster and forward runs too.

Endrick – 7.5

The Brazilian scored a third goal for Real Madrid in stoppage time.

Manager

Carlo Ancelotti – 8

He set up his side to attack and kept them persisting, as it eventually paid off, as Los Blancos avoided dropping points on the opening day.

Also Read: Wolves vs Newcastle Player Ratings: Fabian Schar scores on his return

Stuttgart Player Ratings vs Real Madrid

Goalkeeper

Alexander Nubel – 7

He certainly expected a challenge at the Bernabeu and Real Madrid didn’t disappoint him, though they must have been frustrated to see the Stuttgart custodian pull off a series of impeccable saves in the game that prevented them from running away with it, especially in the first half.

Defenders

Josha Vagnoman – 6

His positioning was solid and his passing was top-notch. He competed hard for the ball, winning four of his eight ground duels, but otherwise, his involvement in defense when Real Madrid were on the attacking foot was minimal.

Anthony Roualt – 6.5

The 23-year-old made four clearances, a testament to his solid vision in the game, while also looking to stop Real Madrid players in their tracks with his perfectly timed tackles. He also completed 92% possession.

Jeff Chabot – 7

With a game-high of eight clearances, it’s safe to say Chabot was at the top of his game tonight. He also blocked two shots to make a telling impact as he brought his A-1 game to the fore and gave Real Madrid’s marque forwards a tough run for their money.

Maximilian Mittelstadt – 7

Another solid performance in defense came from Mittelstadt, who made three clearances and four tackles while winning four of his seven ground duels. He lacked pace off the ball sometimes and looked sloppy in possession too.

Midfielders

Jamie Leweling – 7

Surprisingly direct and proactive in attack, Leweling had two great chances to score in the first half but saw both of them saved by the vigilant Courtois. He made up for that by setting up Undav’s equalizer in the 68th minute.

Angelo Stiller – 6.5

The midfielder circulated the ball superbly and looked to push his side forward with a bunch of long balls too, although many of them went begging. He contributed heavily from a defensive standpoint, blocking three shots and making one tackle.

Atakan Karazor – 7

Stuttgart’s architect of the match, Karazor was central to everything good coming out of the Red Army. His brilliant distribution of the ball ensured they didn’t let the momentum slip away from them, and contributed heavily defensively too with vital clearances and blocks.

Forwards

Enzo Millot – 7

The Frenchman made some excellent key passes to showcase his creative skills and mustered three shots in the game, although only one of them was on target. Off the ball too, he was a menace to Real Madrid, competing for possession tooth and nail.

Deniz Undav – 7

Stuttgart’s prolific forward demonstrated his creative side too, making a few intelligent passes to conjure goalscoring chances for his attacking cohorts. Overzealous at times, Undav was caught offside on a handful of occasions but finally managed to find the back of the net in the second half when he brought them level.

Chris Fuhrich – 5.5

Not the best game for Chris Fuhrich, who struggled to impose himself on the game from the left, looking isolated for much of it. In 63 minutes, he completed only 14 passes and laid only two crosses, neither of which were accurate. He also won just two of his six ground duels.

Substitutes

Anrie Chase – 6.5

A total non-factor for Stuttgart with more active players around him.

Fabian Rieder – 7

He won seven ground duels and made four tackles to frustrate Real Madrid.

Ermedin Demirovic – 3

Demirovic was as good as non-existent as the Bosnian was barely seen.

El Bilal Toure – 4

Made just two passes in 15 minutes of action; tells you everything about his involvement

Dan-Axel Zagadou – N/A

He merely came on to see the game off in the dying embers.

Manager

Sebastian Hoeness – 6

The Stuttgart manager can be proud of his side’s performance despite the loss, as the Red Army looked frightening in the opening stanza. It was only the brilliance of Thibaut Courtois that kept them from going in front, while also not allowing their mighty hosts much time and space at the back.

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