Real Madrid 2-1 Inter Milan (Mbappé & Valverde). A first European win of the season… You are reading the immediate reaction. More for you: Player ratings, press conferences and a post game podcast.
The Champions League is back, and a sentimental reunion against Inter Milan for numerous figures seemed a fitting opener for such a prestigious competition. With a number of players serving suspensions gained last season, there was a lot of talk about the line-up prior to this game. No youth players were
present, although Thiago Pitarch and Jorge Cestero did have a place on the bench. Instead, Trent Alexander-Arnold took a place in midfield. Brahim Díaz started on the right hand side. Fede Valverde wore the armband once more.
Inter started things off with a powerful strike that took a good save by Thibaut Courtois to keep out. They then came close again before a mistake halted their game. Brahim Díaz picked up the ball after a mistake, and played Kylian Mbappé through to punish Inter. It would go from bad to worse after a goalkeeping howler allowed Fede Valverde to literally tackle the ball into the net for two. Inter continued to gain possession but little else, as half-time arrived with the score at 2-0.
The game continued to descend into a frivolous exhibition, as Real Madrid’s passive press was easily bypassed. Inter had a number of chances to get back into the game, but Thibaut Courtois was on top form. Real Madrid should have scored more themselves, as Brahim Díaz completed a superb run to set Jude Bellingham up for an open goal. The Englishman didn’t quite judge the ball correctly to take a first time shot. It quickly became end to end, and Inter did manage to snatch a goal – again easily carving through Madrid before cross low for Carlos Augusto to score. A long shot was the closest that Inter came to an equaliser, as Real Madrid managed to survive and walk away with a 2-1 victory. What did you think about this game?
