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Real Madrid: 3 keys to victory against Inter Milan on Champions League Matchday 1

By Manas Pratim Sharma

MILAN, ITALY - NOVEMBER 25: Roberto Gagliardini of Internazionale (L) plays against Luka Modric (R) and Toni Kroos of Real Madrid (C) during the UEFA Champions League Group B stage match between FC Internazionale and Real Madrid at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on November 25, 2020 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)
MILAN, ITALY - NOVEMBER 25: Roberto Gagliardini of Internazionale (L) plays against Luka Modric (R) and Toni Kroos of Real Madrid (C) during the UEFA Champions League Group B stage match between FC Internazionale and Real Madrid at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on November 25, 2020 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images) /
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Real Madrid is fresh off a 5-2 win over Celta Vigo on LaLiga’s Matchday 4 and they look to take their good scoring form into the Champions League. Real Madrid will face Inter Milan on Matchday 1 at the San Siro on Wednesday. Inter would be the strongest opposition Real will have faced so far in the season. The Italian champions have been in good form, picking up seven points of the available nine within the first three games of Serie A.

They, however, come against the backdrop of a 2-2 draw against Sampdoria and would be looking to improve themselves after playing a game where they deserved to get more out of. The task is not going to be easy, Real Madrid is the first quality opposition Inter would be facing in the season and they already have lost a massive force in front of goal in Romelu Lukaku. Real Madrid, on the other hand, has lost Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane and they’d be looking to fix their defensive woes before the top-tier clash. Here are the keys to victory for Los Blancos.

Nicolo Barella, FC Internazionale (Photo by Nicolò Campo/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Nicolo Barella, FC Internazionale (Photo by Nicolò Campo/LightRocket via Getty Images) /

1. Real Madrid must contain key play-maker Nicolo Barella

Real Madrid boasts the best midfield in Europe currently with Toni Kroos, Luka Modric, and Carlos Casemiro forming an amazing partnership. However, Los Blancos would be without the services of the German for the competition’s first Matchday. Real Madrid’s options in midfield are sufficient to cause the Italians trouble in a midfield battle that would be very much worth the watch.

The key would be to trap Nicolo Barella in his tracks. Barella has been a pivotal point of discussion all through the transfer window. Though it was clear that he is loving Inter as his home and not looking for a change, the club’s bankruptcy claims still kept the possibilities alive. It is no wonder that such a sought-after player would be a special talent.

Barella has continued his fine form from the European Championships into the new season for Inter. He already has three assists in three matches, per WhoScored, along with averaging 1.7 key passes and 3.3 successful long balls per match. He has looked like Inter’s best player so far. Yes, they have found goal-scorers in players like Edin Dzeko and Joaquin Correa, but, Barella has been in the heart of most Inter moves.

This is why Real Madrid should look to dismantle Inter in the middle of the park and give that deserved extra bit of attention to Nicolo Barella. Either way, this is going to be a midfield battle worthy of your time and attention with stars like Marcelo Brozovic and Federico Dimarco in support of Barella.

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