Courtois and Rüdiger Rescue a Chaotic Real Madrid

One trait remains intact from the identity that made Real Madrid European champions three and a half months ago, despite their current struggles: their remarkable ability to prevail amid chaos, even when they least deserve it. After a catastrophic first half where only a prodigious Courtois kept them afloat, Carlo Ancelotti's team showcased their indomitable spirit in the second half to inaugurate the new Champions League format with an unconvincing victory.

Goals from Rüdiger and Endrick in the dying moments secured three points for the Whites, who had taken the lead through Mbappé after the break but saw their triumph jeopardized by another poorly defended corner that gave hope to a commendable Stuttgart.

The German side, bold and excellently assembled, put the fifteen-time European champions on the ropes. Not even the return of their beloved competition could shake Real Madrid from the lethargy they've been in since the season began. However, the familiar final surge of a team that shows its best face when everything is against them left Stuttgart empty-handed, yet another victim of an indomitable champion's law.

Match corresponding to the first day of the Champions League, held at Santiago Bernabéu.

Ancelotti crafted the lineup with the caution advised by an unforgiving schedule. He protected an ailing Militao by moving Carvajal to the center of defense. That was all of Carletto's tailoring work, taking advantage of Tchouaméni and Bellingham's return to form his elite midfield brigade for the debut in Europe's top competition, which truly defines such a stellar lineup. The problem is they still belong to very distant galaxies judging by what was seen in the first half against Stuttgart—a real disaster.