VfB Stuttgart returns to the Champions League for the first time in 14 years and have been given probably the toughest fixture possible for their first game, defending champions, Real Madrid, with Kylian Mbappé, at the Bernabeu.
Most of Stuttgart’s first-team squad is fit for the trip to Madrid, the only major absentees are summer signing Ameen Al Dakhil who is recovering from a hip injury and has yet to make his debut for VfB. While Anrie Chase will also likely be absent, the 20-year-old has been a part of VfB’s defence for the opening games of the season but Sebastian Hoeneß will likely turn towards experience for the game this evening.
Enzo Millot and Chris Führich, who were both benched at the weekend in Stuttgart’s 3-1 win against Borussia Mönchengladbach will likely return to the starting 11.
The downside for Stuttgart is that Aurelin Tchouameni and Jude Bellingham will both be available for Real Madrid heading into the tie. So, Stuttgart will have to take inspiration from Union Berlin who held Real right to the death in their first-ever Champions League game, before succumbing to a late Bellingham winner but this time, they can go one better.
VfB Stuttgart Predicted XI (via kicker):
Alexander Nübel, Josha Vagnoman, Anthony Rouault, Jeff Chabot, Maximilian Mittelstädt, Atakan Karazor, Angelo Stiller, Enzo Millot, Chris Führich, Deniz Undav, Ermedin Demirovic
GGFN | Jack Meenan
