Sami Khedira says Stuttgart must be brave in their UEFA Champions League opener against Real Madrid. - © Imago

bundesliga

Sami Khedira: "Stuttgart must be brave against Real Madrid"

16.09.2024

Sami Khedira has told former club Stuttgart they need to “be courageous” when they face Kylian Mbappé, Jude Bellingham and European title-holders Real Madrid in Tuesday’s UEFA Champions League opener.

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Stuttgart are back in European club football’s premier competition for the first time since 2009/10 when Khedira was part of their squad. The former Germany international midfielder moved to Madrid at the end of that season, going on to play over 100 competitive games for Real and win both the La Liga title and the Champions League with them.

“In my opinion there is only one solution: be brave,” said Khedira when asked how Stuttgart can emerge from the Santiago Bernabeu with anything other than a defeat to the record 15-time winners.

“I know the Bernabeu as a Real player, I also know it as an opposing player with Juventus. As soon as you are overwhelmed by the atmosphere and the whole thing, you’ve lost. The key is in that, to use the magic in the stadium to get into a flow. Real Madrid can always create something special in this stadium, whether it be the 91st, 92nd or even the 97th minute. Courage and total focus are the way to withstand the Bernabeu.”

Having made his name with Stuttgart, Khedira spent five years at Real Madrid - imago/Avanti

Khedira, who joined Stuttgart as a child before emerging as a young star at his hometown club as part of the 2006/07 Bundesliga-winning squad, will be in the Spanish capital to see the game.

“I came to Madrid a few days ago. My focus will be above all on sport and talking to some of those running the club,” said the 37-year-old former FIFA World Cup winner, who welcomed Sebastian Hoeneß’ squad to the Spanish capital on Monday and who will also attend the UEFA Youth League match between the two clubs’ U19 teams on Tuesday. “Afterwards, I’m very excited to see how VfB face up to the challenge of the Bernabeu.”