Real Madrid is set to begin their defense of the Champions League title with a crucial match against Stuttgart at the Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday night.
While the team comes into the game off the back of a 2-0 win against Real Sociedad in La Liga, the match was far from easy.
Real Sociedad hit the post three times, and Real Madrid only secured the win through two penalty goals in the second half.
With injury concerns and Vinicius Jr under increasing media scrutiny, Real Madrid has plenty to contend with ahead of their Champions League opener.
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Vinicius Jr, one of Real Madrid’s brightest stars, has been drawing attention recently, but not entirely for his performances on the pitch.
Despite being a key player, his actions during the win over Real Sociedad have raised questions about his temperament.
The Brazilian forward made a ‘be-quiet’ gesture towards the home fans after scoring the opening goal, an action that sparked media debates about his maturity and professionalism.
While Vinicius remains a crucial part of Carlo Ancelotti’s squad, the Spanish media has started to question whether his emotional reactions could become a liability for the team.
As one of the club’s most important offensive weapons, his focus and discipline will be critical for Real Madrid as they navigate a busy fixture list that includes the Champions League and La Liga.
Real Madrid’s preparations for the Champions League have been hampered by several injuries to key players.
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Morocco international Brahim Diaz is the latest addition to the injury list after suffering an adductor muscle injury during the match against Real Sociedad.
Diaz is expected to be out of action until December, meaning Ancelotti will need to make further adjustments to his squad in the coming months.
In addition to Diaz’s injury, the club is still managing the fitness of Eduardo Camavinga, Dani Ceballos, Jude Bellingham, and Aurelien Tchouameni, all of whom missed the Real Sociedad match.
Although Bellingham and Tchouameni are likely to return for the Champions League clash against Stuttgart, Ancelotti may opt to bring them back slowly, avoiding the risk of aggravating their injuries.
These injuries could test Real Madrid’s depth, especially in central midfield, where they looked unbalanced against Real Sociedad.
Ancelotti will likely rotate his squad carefully to maintain the team’s strength, particularly as the season progresses with the added pressure of defending the Champions League title.
The Champions League is always a top priority for Real Madrid, and this season is no different. As the reigning champions, Madrid will be aiming for nothing less than a win in their opening group-stage match against Stuttgart.
With the Bernabeu expected to be packed with fans, Madrid will be eager to start their campaign on a positive note and avoid the potential pitfalls of a sluggish start.
Stuttgart is not expected to be an easy opponent, and Madrid will need to be at their best despite their injury concerns.
Vinicius Jr will be one of the key players tasked with leading the attack, and he’ll be eager to put the media scrutiny behind him with a strong performance on the European stage.
Despite his undeniable talent, Vinicius Jr’s recent on-field actions have caused some concern. The 23-year-old Brazilian has been a standout performer since joining Real Madrid, but his emotional reactions during games have raised questions about his maturity.
The ‘be-quiet’ gesture he made to the Real Sociedad fans, for example, drew sharp criticism from the Spanish press, with some suggesting that the forward needs to learn how to control his emotions.
Although Vinicius remains a fan favorite at the Bernabeu, speculation has started to swirl about his long-term future at the club. Rumours have emerged suggesting that big-money offers from Saudi Arabian clubs could be on the horizon.
While Real Madrid is unlikely to part with one of their most promising young stars, the speculation serves as a reminder that the club may expect a certain level of professionalism and maturity from its top players.
Ancelotti, known for his man-management skills, will likely take Vinicius under his wing to ensure that these off-field distractions don’t affect his performances.
As one of Real Madrid’s key attacking options, the Brazilian forward will need to focus entirely on helping his team retain their Champions League title and continue their domestic campaign without further controversy.
With Brahim Diaz out and the potential return of Bellingham and Tchouameni, Carlo Ancelotti faces some tactical decisions heading into the match against Stuttgart. Rodrygo, who replaced Diaz in the Real Sociedad game, is likely to start alongside Vinicius Jr in attack.
In midfield, Ancelotti may opt for a cautious approach, resting Bellingham or Tchouameni while relying on experienced players such as Luka Modric and Toni Kroos to provide stability. Real Madrid’s defensive line will also be critical, especially as Stuttgart has proven to be dangerous on the counter-attack.
Given the high stakes of the Champions League, it will be essential for Ancelotti to get his team balance right and manage player fitness carefully to avoid further injuries.
