Full match player ratings below:
Thibaut Courtois—9: Superman – kept Madrid in the game with a number of crucial saves.
Lucas Vazquez—3: Poor showing with Stuttgart exploiting the space in behind Lucas on multiple occasions. Subbed off at halftime.
Dani Carvajal—5.5: Started the match at center back but was quickly moved back to fullback after the halftime break. Much improved in his natural position.
Antonio Rüdiger—8: Scored the go-ahead goal to make it 2-1 in the 83rd minute off a header from a Luka Modric corner.
Ferland Mendy—6: Solid defensively but did not provide any threat going forward.
Tchouameni—7: Like much of the team, had a poor first half but much improved second half. Played a brilliant first time through ball to Rodrygo to help set up the first goal.
Fede Valverde—6.5: Started the match as an advanced #8 on the right side of midfield and finished the game as a #6 defensive midfielder. Looked at his best in the deeper position.
Jude Bellingham—8: Madridista’s will be relieved to see Jude back on the pitch. Did not miss a beat on his return from injury and was one of the best players on the pitch. Needed more defensive help from his teammates down the left of midfield.
Rodrygo—7: Produced the assist on the opening goal for Kylian Mbappe and was silky smooth off the dribble all evening.
Vinicius Junior—6: Not the Brazilian’s best match but still managed 3 key passes.
Kylian Mbappé—7: Scored his fifth goal in seven matches and his first goal for Real Madrid in the Champions League.
Substitutions:
Luka Modric—7: Repoaced Tchouameni in midfield. Recorded an assist for the go-ahead goal in the final minutes of the match with another inch-perfect corner kick delivery.
Arda Guler—6: Few passing sequences where he was unlucky to be looked off by teammates as he was in a dangerous goal scoring position.
Fran Garcia—6: Another solid cameo where his energy and dynamism brought another threat for the Stuttgart defense to worry about.
Endrick—8: Ancelotti called the teenager brave and said, in no uncertain terms, that he has “balls” — his goal exemplified as much. Scored from nearly 25 yards out on a 3 v 2 counter-attack with Vini and Kylian both options on either side of him. Choose the road least traveled and his confidence was duly rewarded.
