Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti is confident that the clash with Stuttgart will be an exciting one.
Los Blancos are set to host Stuttgart at the Santiago Bernabeu in the first Champions League match of the 2024/25 season on Tuesday night, with the revamped UCL competition set to see teams play eight games before graduating in a league format to determine who advances to the next round.
In his pre-match press conference on Monday, Ancelotti revealed that despite the format of the competition changing, Los Blancos’ ambitions remain focused on reaching the final.
“We always look forward to this competition, as we are a club that has performed exceptionally well over many years. It is a special competition and we will try to compete until the end.
“Stuttgart did well last year and the fact is they are here because of the work of their manager (Sebastian Hoeness). They are a very good team and a very organised team. I am sure it will be an entertaining game.
“The format (of the Champions League) changes but it’s always the same teams (in the competition), including Real Madrid. There are other teams, สมัคร ufabet and people think we’re favourites because we won it last season. But this year the Champions League will be a different story and hopefully we can reach the final like last season.”