Kylian Mbappe Bolstering Holders Real Madrid's Champions League Ambitions

16.09.2024 - 09:48 sports.ndtv.com

The format may be new, but few would bet against the winner staying the same. As if record 15-time winners Real Madrid's Champions League prospects were not great enough already, superstar striker Kylian Mbappe's arrival makes Los Blancos the most daunting team in the competition.

German side Stuttgart have the honours of facing the reigning kings of Europe in the opening week of the competition, travelling to the Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday.

Madrid defeated Borussia Dortmund in last season's Wembley final to claim the trophy for the sixth time in the last 11 years.

Coach Carlo Ancelotti, the most decorated manager in the history of the tournament with five triumphs, has not yet found the perfect set-up to get Mbappe firing from open play, but few doubt he will.

Football Real Madrid UEFA Champions League Carlo Ancelotti Kylian Mbappe Germany

Fede Valverde and Vinicius Junior strikes helped Real Madrid bounce back from their first defeat since January with a 2-0 win over Villarreal on Saturday in La Liga. Los Blancos lost in the Champions League at Lille but are still unbeaten in the Spanish top flight and moved level with leaders Barcelona, before the Catalans visit Alaves on Sunday. Valverde's deflected effort and a rocket from Vinicius allowed Madrid to put a four-point gap between them and their third-placed opponents, who battled well but came up fractionally short in the capital.

Updated Champions League wrap: Real Madrid stunned by Lille

A first-half penalty earned Lille a shock 1-0 home victory over holders Real Madrid in the Champions League group phase on Wednesday, ending the 15-times European Cup winners' 14-game unbeaten run in the competition.

Champions League: Vinicius Taking Control As Holders Real Madrid Face Lille

Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior is hoping to end October with a first Ballon d'Or in his hands in Paris, but his month also begins in France with a Champions League visit to Lille on Wednesday. With star summer signing Kylian Mbappe recovering from a thigh injury, Vinicius has taken the reins once again as Madrid's key attacking influence. The reigning European champions are unbeaten in 14 matches on the continent and after a hard-fought win over Stuttgart on the opening day, are aiming to follow that up with victory at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy.

France star Griezmann retires from international football

France’s 2018 World Cup-winning star Antoine Griezmann on Monday announced his retirement from international football, bringing to an end a 10-year career with his country.

Kylian Mbappe Named In Real Madrid Squad To Face Lille After Thigh Injury

Real Madrid named Kylian Mbappe in their squad to face Lille in the Champions League on Wednesday after he missed one match with a thigh injury.

Real Madrid aim to avenge last season's losses to improved Atletico, Ancelotti says

Real Madrid will be keen to forget their only two losses of last season when they take on fierce local rivals Atletico Madrid - the winners in both of those defeats, who are now an even stronger proposition, Real manager Carlo Ancelotti said on Saturday.