Kylian Mbappe wants Real Madrid to secure qualification early in the expanded Champions League after opening his account for the club in the competition as part of a hard-earned 3-1 home win over Stuttgart.
Second-placed in Germany last season, Stuttgart recovered from Mbappe’s 46th-minute goal to equalise through Deniz Undav, Madrid requiring an 83rd-minute Antonio Rudiger header to move in front again.
At 18 years and 58 days of age, Endrick then became Madrid’s youngest ever Champions League goalscorer five minutes into added time.
Mbappé delivers 📬#UCL pic.twitter.com/PE2DOaDm4B
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) September 17, 2024
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Mbappe: Stuttgart ‘difficult’
“We know the Champions League has changed so we know we have to win quickly to qualify,” France captain Mbappe said after his fourth club goal in three appearances.
“The match was difficult because they played well and we couldn’t create moments to play ourselves and play out from the back.
“We had our chances to score but, ultimately, we only got going in the second half. We pressured them, implemented our game and scored the first goal quickly.
“After that, the game went by and there was some box-to-box action. They attacked, then we did. They scored. But as we do against anyone at Madrid, we fought to score another, which did us good, and then Endrick scored. At that point, the game was over.”
Mbappé x Vini #UCL pic.twitter.com/ZKlTbdimlb
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) September 17, 2024
Madrid Champions League schedule
The league phase of the Champions League now requires teams to play at least eight matches – up from six – during the initial stage.
Clubs then have to play an extra two-legged play-off, should they finish between ninth and 24th in the new 36-team format.
Madrid are next in action when they visit French side Lille on October 2 (all matches 8pm BST) and host Borussia Dortmund on October 22.
They then host Milan and travel to Liverpool and Atalanta before the end of 2024, followed by a home game against Salzburg and away match against Brest in January.
Mbappe’s 49th Champions League goal put him ninth in the all-time competition top scorer list, ahead of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and one behind Thierry Henry.
