New Delhi: The UEFA Champions League is set to begin tomorrow as the new league phase of the tournament kicks off for the first time. The change in format sees a longer league stage being played before the knockout rounds and the defending champions Real Madrid start their defence of their crown by welcoming German side Vfb Stuttgart at the Santiago Bernabéu.
The defending champions were given a welcome injury boost after their key trio of Jude Bellingham, Aurélien Tchouaméni, and Eder Militão have all been declared available for their match against Stuttgart in a statement by Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti ahead of his side’s Champions League opener. Both the midfielders missed the club’s La Liga clash over the weekend which allowed them to gain fitness for the UCL game.
My boy Jude Bellingham is back from injury… cookings start 👌🏾🤗🤗🤗 pic.twitter.com/urxhE2cymW
— TINA 🤍 (@TinaAbenaAntwi) September 12, 2024
Real Madrid’s star boy, Jude Bellingham had been dealing with a foot injury and hasn’t made an appearance for the club since their La Liga opener against Real Mallorca. The only other time he played this season was the club’s first game of the campaign, the UEFA Super Cup win over Atalanta. Midfield partner Tchouaméni had also been out with a foot injury he sustained during the recent international break, leading to him missing this weekend’s clash.
Eder Militão was the only one of these three who played in Real Madrid’s 2-0 win over Real Sociedad but even he was returning from a thigh injury that he suffered during the international break as well. He missed the team’s training session on Monday because of a reported knee issue but Ancelotti confirmed that he just needed an extra day to recover and would feature when Madrid take on Stuttgart.
One player who played the win against Real Sociedad but won’t be available for the hosts on Tuesday is Brahim Diaz who was replaced in the first half on Saturday following a right leg muscle injury. Madrid kick off the defence of their record extending 15th UEFA Champions League crown and it will also mark Kylian Mbappe’s UEFA Champions League debut for Real Madrid as he looks to continue his search for the one trophy that has eluded him till now.
Los Blancos have been dealing with a lot of injury problems since the start of this campaign and have been handed a major injury boost ahead of their UEFA Champions League opener. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
