Will Militão, Bellingham, Tchouaméni play for Real Madrid vs Stuttgart?

Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has food for thought as he picks his team for Los Blancos’ Champions League opener.

Real Madrid have been left with a major defensive headache ahead of their Champions League season opener this midweek, after it emerged that centre-back Éder Militão is an injury doubt for the game against VfB Stuttgart.

Militão troubled by leg injury

Madrid officials say Militão’s fitness issue has nothing to do with the muscle strain he picked up on Brazil duty earlier this month; instead, the 26-year-old is struggling with a leg knock sustained in Los Blancos’ 2-0 LaLiga win over Real Sociedad on Saturday. Although it is good news that the defender has not suffered a recurrence of his earlier injury, there are major concerns over his ability to start against Stuttgart.

Having sat out training on yesterday, Militão was again absent this morning at Madrid’s Valdebebas training ground, where Antonio Rüdiger and Jesús Vallejo were the only recognised centre-backs able to go through their paces.

Who could replace Militão in defence?

Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti is mulling over several alternatives should Militão miss out against Stuttgart. The Italian could play right-back Dani Carvajal in the centre, with Lucas Vázquez taking Carvajal’s place on the flank; he could draft in Vallejo, a fringe figure at the club, for his first appearance of the season; or he could make the most of Aurélien Tchouaméni’s return to fitness by picking the midfielder as a makeshift central defender.

Having spent the last two weeks recovering from a foot injury, Tchouaméni is now back in full training and, if Militão is ruled out, appears to be the likeliest option as the former Porto player’s replacement.

Bellingham back in full training

Jude Bellingham has also handed Ancelotti a major boost by returning from injury. The England international has missed Madrid’s last four games with a muscle issue in his right leg, but is now also able to train as normal. He is set to return to the Spanish and European champions’ matchday squad against Stuttgart, although it remains to be seen whether Ancelotti will include him in his line-up.

Real Madrid vs Stuttgart: start time, how to watch

On matchday one of the 2024/25 Champions League, Real Madrid host VfB Stuttgart on Tuesday September 17, 2024, at 3pm ET/12 noon PT. Viewers in the United States will be able to watch the game on TUDN USA, UniMás, Paramount+ and ViX.