Stuttgart forward hails Real Madrid veteran star as ‘one of the best in the world’ | OneFootball

Less than 12 hours remain before Real Madrid get their UEFA Champions League campaign underway for the new season and their opponents are already preparing in the city of Madrid.

Up against VfB Stuttgart in the first of their eight league stage games of the new format, Los Blancos are clear favourites against a team they have never faced in history.

If their recent form is anything to go by, however, the clash will be anything but easy as the manager stares at a long list of problems to solve in his puzzle.

Speaking to MARCA ahead of the game, VfB Stuttgart forward Ermedin Demirovic detailed a number of topics including how it was the team’s first time playing against Real Madrid and the expectations from the game.

First, he began by providing an update on how he felt, especially having scored four goals in his last five games.

“I’m in good shape, it’s true. I feel very good in my new club, following the line I already showed last year in Augsburg.”

“The team is also fine, which is the most important thing. I am convinced that people will see a good team at the Bernabéu,” he added.

As Stuttgart’s striker, Demirovic will go up head to head against Antonio Rudiger in defence who he described as one of the best in the world.

“It will be a great battle, because Rudiger is one of the best defenders in the world. I think it’s going to be a fun duel. In Madrid they are all great players.”

“No matter what player you look at you will see a world figure, but in the specific case you ask me, there is no doubt that facing players like Rudiger is a challenge,” he concluded.

Demirovic looking forward to facing Rudiger. (Photo by ANDER GILLENEA/AFP via Getty Images)

Detailing how he felt about playing at Santiago Bernabeu for the first time, the Bosnian international revealed how it was a dream come true.

“It’s going to be very special, without a doubt. It is a dream come true to debut in the Champions League and play in one of the best stadiums in the world against the best club in the world.”

“I was lucky enough to play my first match as a professional at the Camp Nou, with Alavés, and now I’m going to play Champions at the Bernabéu. It’s incredible,” he added.

The player even joked about having his entire support system on the stands and how much it meant to him.

“Everyone is very proud and very excited about this game and I will have many fans in the stands of the Bernabéu.”

Finally, the 26-year-old was asked what one can expect from Stuttgart in Spain later tonight, to which he responded,

“We go with everything to the Bernabéu. We know that we have to do things very well, that there will be times when we will have to be together to defend and others when we will try to attack to hurt Madrid.”

“I think we arrived well prepared at the Bernabéu and we will try to have a great match,” he concluded.