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.
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.
2. Real Madrid must defend well aerially
One of the visible strengths seen in tInter so far has been their play in the air. They have scored nine goals from three matches so far and four of them have been headers and one a first-time volley right into the roof of the net by Lautaro Martinez off a Nicolo Barella delivery. Inter have been particularly strong in the air and that is something Real Madrid needs to take note of.
After losing the services of Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane – arguably the best center-back pairing of the generation – Eder Militao has stepped up as a regular in central defense for Los Blancos. Eder Militao is particularly good in the air, and it is for sure that Real will need him to be in his best form for the game against Inter.
Nacho made a few questionable decisions the last time out which left the defense exposed and vulnerable and also led to a second goal for Celta Vigo. That puts serious questions on who should be starting alongside Militao. The only real available option is David Alaba and in my opinion, the Militao-Alaba combination has worked relatively better for Los Blancos so far.
The final thing to take note of for Carlo Ancelotti’s men in defense is that they need to stop the incoming crosses and be particularly sharp in tracking runners on the flanks and my shout would be to start the combination of Dani Carvajal and Miguel Gutierrez. For the few balls that do make their way in, Real Madrid needs to be exceptionally good in their aerial defending and that should hopefully keep the Italians at bay.
3. Vinicius Junior needs to be the X-factor
Inter Milan have only conceded three goals so far in their limited season. They started with a clean sheet and then conceded three in two games. They have been defending diligently and the goals have been the results of defensive errors. One had the goalkeeper awkwardly exposed that led to a chipped finish, one was a deflected shot that left Samir Handanovic rooted to his spot. And, the final one they conceded was a well-worked volleyed finish.
The discussion proves that dismantling the Inter defense hasn’t been easy so far. But, they’ll indeed face a much-improved opposition in Real Madrid, and drawing premature conclusions may not be the wisest thing to do. However, there were phases of play where the defense struggled and it is pretty clear that they can be forced into committing mistakes that can be taken advantage of.
From what has been seen so far with both sides, my shout would be for Vinicius Junior to work magic with his pace and dribbling. Frustrating the Italian defense is the only answer. Real has one of the best forwards in Karim Benzema and his touch of brilliance is bound to be the difference given Vini supports him, as he has so far.
Inter are good with tracking runs, and their central defending too has been flawless other than one unlucky deflection that ended up in the net. Hence, the only way to get past is to deceive the defense using the tricks that Ancelotti’s men have done so well so far.
Playing a high-tempo attacking football coupled with some pace on the flanks should get the job done for Real Madrid.