· 2 min readIn this Real Madrid vs Inter match, I analyse the key tactical moments, individual performances and turning points of the game.
Real Madrid came into their first Champions League league phase game still searching for their best version. Mourinho’s team had clear problems in midfield and defensively and were coming off a defeat against Betis. On the other side was an Inter side flying high, still unbeaten, playing fluidly and at the level expected.
And the opening minutes proved right those expecting a difficult game for Madrid.
The first surprise was already in the line-up: Trent Alexander-Arnold appeared in midfield. Inter started better, with more possession, and after three minutes had already forced Courtois into a great save.
After 10 minutes, Inter were still the better side and were defending in a 5-3-2.
In the 15th minute, Real Madrid took advantage of an absurd Inter mistake. Bisseck, the Italian side’s centre-back, completely lost his bearings, Brahim Díaz accepted the gift and put the ball through to Mbappé. The Frenchman was in a position where he could not miss from there and fired into the back of the net. 1-0. Madrid were ahead despite clearly being worse in the game.
And eight minutes later, another Inter mistake appeared.
In the 23rd minute, Josep Martínez received a back pass, controlled it, waited too long and tried to turn backwards. Valverde appeared, got a touch to dispossess the goalkeeper and sent the ball into the back of the net. 2-0. Two Inter mistakes, two Real Madrid goals. It was a completely disproportionate advantage compared to what was happening on the pitch.
Inter continued to leave spaces. In the 25th minute, Vini Jr carried the ball, it reached Mbappé ready to shoot, but Bisseck managed to correct his mistake and made a great interception. Real Madrid, meanwhile, dropped back and defended in a fairly simple way. They did not apply an absurd press, they simply closed the spaces, especially now that they had a comfortable lead.
Curtis Jones managed to get into the box, took Valverde out of the way with a turn and shot with space, but the ball hit the crossbar. Inter needed to create more danger, shoot more and be quicker in their actions.
Even so, Real Madrid continued to find spaces due to Inter’s defensive mistakes. In the 45+1st minute, another pass was intercepted. Mbappé carried the ball, dribbled and shot, Josep Martínez saved and the ball remained in the six-yard box. Bellingham shot and once again there was a miracle from the Inter goalkeeper. The ball went up and towards the far post, where Brahim Díaz still managed to shoot, hitting the post. It was Real Madrid’s third goal just before half-time.
At half-time, Pavard came off and Stone came on. It did not seem to be a physical issue. Pavard’s performance had been horrible, just like Inter’s defensive system throughout the first half.
In the 49th minute, Mbappé received with space, shot and Josep Martínez, who was not well positioned, managed to save. Madrid were constantly finding the ball into space for Mbappé and nobody seemed able to defend him.
Inter, however, began to try more. In the 52nd minute, Çalhanoğlu crossed into the box and Thuram appeared to shoot, but the ball went too high. In the 55th minute, Bellingham once again gave Çalhanoğlu space and the Italian midfielder immediately took advantage to send Lautaro Martínez through.
But Real Madrid also continued to waste incredible opportunities.
In the 58th minute, Brahim produced a great dribble inside the box and lifted the ball over towards the far post. Bellingham was completely alone in the six-yard box. He controlled it with his chest, took too long and, once again, Josep Martínez appeared to perform a miracle. An unbelievable miss.
On the other side, Courtois also continued to be decisive.
In the 70th minute, it was already attack against defence, back and forth, with both teams tired and leaving more and more spaces. It looked like a game between amateurs, but it was precisely that type of football that you wanted to see.
And in the 76th minute, what Real Madrid wanted to avoid happened.
The ball started on the right and Lautaro received it through on goal. Trent took too long and was left behind. Lautaro put the ball into the box and Carlos Augusto appeared with power to fire into the back of the net. 2-1. Inter reduced the deficit and the game became even more intense.
In the 89th minute, the Real Madrid goalkeeper made another great save, this time at a moment when the team was playing with 10 players because of the new 10-second rule for leaving the pitch. Vini did not respect the time to leave and Carreras had to wait another minute before he could come on.
Post-match
Real Madrid eventually held on and beat Inter 2–1. It was a mad game, with Real Madrid failing to capitalise on numerous chances, but both goals also came from mistakes. Madrid could have killed the game off, but they kept missing chance after chance, which gave Inter hope.
