Real Madrid vs Inter Review
Real Madrid, winners of the UEFA Champions League (UCL) 15 times, began their group stage campaign with a 2-1 victory over a wasteful Inter Milan, the team with which José Mourinho won this trophy in 2010. Inter’s strong start to the season suggested they might cause an upset and move past a previous streak of five losses in six UCL matches, but after some promising early play, a disastrous 10-minute period saw the Nerazzurri fall two goals behind.
Attempts by Marcus Thuram, Lautaro Martínez, and Hakan Çalhanoğlu were in vain as the home team took the lead due to a mistake by Yann Bisseck, which allowed Brahim Díaz to set up Kylian Mbappé, who calmly finished into the center of the goal. Inter goalkeeper Josep Martínez had ample time to handle a back-pass from Benjamin Pavard but chose to try and dribble past Federico Valverde instead, allowing Valverde to quickly poke the ball into the empty net. Inter’s misfortunes continued when Curtis Jones hit the crossbar from the center of the box, though Martínez was there to make an impressive double save from Mbappé and Jude Bellingham just before halftime.
Eager to redeem himself after his earlier mistake, Martínez did well to rush out and then retreat, still managing to prevent an onrushing Mbappé from curling the ball past him shortly after the second half began. The same pattern from the first half continued, with Jones being denied by Courtois from a tight angle, and Thuram firing over after receiving a pass from Çalhanoğlu in space inside the area. Inter kept missing several half-chances, but it was the action at the other end that stood out, as Martínez’s acrobatic saves from Bellingham and Mbappé kept Madrid from pulling away.
Inter’s lifeline came with just under 15 minutes remaining when Lautaro Martínez reached the byline and delivered a cross to Carlos Augusto, who redirected the ball through Ibrahima Konaté’s legs and past Courtois. Suddenly, it seemed like Inter had a chance, but the home team began to control possession well in the closing minutes and secured the victory. This win means Los Blancos have made the best possible start to the tournament, aiming to return to Madrid for the final in June, although it will be held at their rivals Atlético Madrid’s stadium.
Inter’s struggles in the Champions League continue following their last appearance in 2025, but despite tonight’s performance being marked by missed opportunities, it may give Cristian Chivu hope that he can achieve as a manager what he accomplished as a player with Inter in this competition 16 years ago.
