(Reuters) – Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti expects to have several players back from injury ahead of their Champions League opener against German side VfB Stuttgart on Tuesday.
Midfielders Jude Bellingham, Aurelien Tchouameni and defender Eder Militao are set to be available for the match at the Santiago Bernabeu despite Militao missing training as he required an extra day to recover fully.
Though Real would be without midfielder Eduardo Camavinga, and former mainstays Nacho, Joselu, and now-retired midfielder Toni Kroos, Ancelotti said he was excited to start their title defence with ‘the best player in the world,’ Kylian Mbappe.
“Yes, we lost Nacho and Kroos, two of our most important players. And Joselu. In exchange, one of the best players in the world is coming. Do we have a better squad than last year? I think so,” Ancelotti told reporters on Monday.
“Jude’s return is fantastic news for us. We know what he contributes with and without the ball,” defender Dani Carvajal said. “We demand much more from ourselves and tomorrow is a new opportunity to continue growing.”
All three European club competitions have been expanded to 36 teams this season and Ancelotti’s side will also be taking part in the expanded men’s 32-team Club World Cup, starting next June in the United States.
Forward Brahim Diaz was the latest player to be sidelined in a slew of injuries and Ancelotti said their gruelling schedule was to blame. “The calendar is too demanding. A new competition is coming and we don’t know how it will turn out,” he added.
“It may or may not be more entertaining. The fact is that we have two more games in this competition.”
The Italian, who has won the Champions League five times as a manager and twice as a player, said the competition holds a place above all else in his heart.
“For me this competition is very special, not only for the club. But it’s not just that, it’s the day-to-day work to get there,” he added.
“The (Champions League) will always be the same even if they change the format a little and (its relation with) Real Madrid, the same. This (year) is going to be another (chance) at history and I hope we can reach the final like last year.”
Madrid triumphed over German side Borussia Dortmund in last season’s final at Wembley, securing their sixth trophy in 11 years.
(Reporting by Shifa Jahan in Bengaluru; Editing by Christian Radnedge)
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