Champions League start – Khedira believes VfB can “shock the big teams” – Sport

Madrid (dpa) – Former national player Sami Khedira believes VfB Stuttgart is well prepared for the upcoming tasks in the Champions League. The 37-year-old is particularly looking forward to the Bundesliga club’s opening match against Real Madrid this evening (9 p.m./Prime Video), as it is, after all, a duel between two of his former clubs.

“I think that it could be a more challenging season for VfB in general because they have let go of some key players,” said Khedira in an interview with the “Stuttgarter Nachrichten” and the “Stuttgarter Zeitung”. “But I think that they have done better than Union in terms of new signings.” For example, there was no established, perhaps well-deserved Champions League winner among them.”

Khedira does not expect a crash like at Union

Union Berlin surprisingly moved into the Champions League in 2023 as fourth in the Bundesliga, but then fought against relegation in the following season. The signing of the Italian ex-European champion Leonardo Bonucci, for example, turned out to be a flop. “I can’t imagine that VfB would crash like Union did last season,” Khedira explained. “I think that VfB will have a good season.”

The schedule in the new league phase of the premier class offers “exciting away games at Real and Juventus and two top teams in Stuttgart with PSG and Atalanta Bergamo,” said Khedira, who once played in the Champions League with the Swabians. “You can beat the remaining opponents to collect the points to advance – although I also think VfB can pull off a surprise against the big teams.”

Former Real Madrid player raves about the Bernabéu

Khedira wore the Real Madrid jersey from 2010 to 2015. “This club is unique. “You have to experience it for yourself,” he said. “When you walk into the Bernabéu as an opponent, you’re already 1-0 down – because there’s this myth and the power of the stadium there.” You walk in and you’re in awe. There’s so much history in it, so many great sporting battles have taken place there.” Now VfB is celebrating its comeback to the Champions League there.

© dpa-infocom, dpa:240917-930-234564/1