Real Madrid kick-started their Champions League campaign with a narrow 1-0 win over Italian Champions Inter Milan on Wednesday. It was a very tough win that looked like it’ll end goalless until the 90th minute, when substitute Rodrygo Goes scored off a brilliant Camavinga assist to give Real Madrid the lead and the win.
There were some really tough moments for the Spaniards in this game, particularly in the first half. Real struggled a lot with Inter’s constant pressure and some great defending to go with it. Inter also attacked well which forced a huge chunk of saves out of Thibaut Courtois, who was undoubtedly the man of the match.
There are things Real should worry about, but many of those things were corrected in the second half, as the Italians started getting tired by the minute. Let’s get into it.
Ancelotti’s substitutions changed the game for Real Madrid
Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said in the post-game press conference that he brought on Rodrygo instead of Eden Hazard because he wanted more width in Real Madrid’s attack. He wanted to unlock Inter’s defense through the flanks, and so he went with Rodrygo. The Italian made the correct decision as Rodrygo’s involvement resulted in a dynamic shift. Real were able to do a lot of things because of the explosiveness of Rodrygo. He connected really well with Dani Carvajal, and was more in sync with the team than Vazquez ever was during the game. Rodrygo also helped a lot on the defensive side of things.
As for the other guy, Eduardo Camavinga, this kid is amazing. Luka Modric was very tired, and it showed from his slightly lacklustre performance. His progressive passes weren’t all that special, and he just looked a step slower than usual. So, Modric went off for the Frenchman, and there was a change. Camavinga’s energy was something that was needed in the midfield. Combine that with Fede’s ability to just go on relentlessly, you form a pretty good duo.
Up against a tired Inter side, Camavinga found spaces that Modric wasn’t able to in the first half, and that was ultimately what led to the goal. Fede Valverde’s pass to Camavinga was beautiful, and the Frenchman forwarded the ball first-time to Rodrygo, who slotted it home. It was something that showed how beyond-his-age Camavinga’s game was, and it’ll be great to see him develop into the player we are so sure he’ll become one day.
Real were lucky not to concede a single goal in the first half
Real Madrid were not doing well in the first half. They were struggling on both ends of the field, and it was not a good site at all. If it wasn’t for a Thibaut Courtois masterclass (plus a few missed chances from Inter’s forwards) Rodrygo’s goal would’ve been a consolation.
Inter went for a high press, and made Real suffocate throughout the half. They used the flanks incredibly well, and were winning every single duel. Real Madrid’s defenders didn’t have a chance of winning the crosses into the box, and they suffered because of it. Edin Dzeko had a few big chances because of that but they were saved by Courtois. There were so many loose balls, and they were all won by Inter.
Real Madrid had a weird press as well, as explained in this tweet. That improved much more in the second half, but we’ll get to that.
There wasn’t much happening in the offense, either. Vinicius Jr was totally isolated by Milan Skrinar and the rest of Inter’s defense. It’s not like Vinicius wasn’t trying, but he just wasn’t able to do anything. Inter did really well in nullifying Karim Benzema’s presence as well, as Real failed to register that many scoring chances in the first half and that was mostly because Benzema not having the best of games.
Real Madrid flipped the switch in the second half
As I said in the last slide, Real Madrid’s press was a lot better in the second half, as was the overall performance. The press was a lot more uniform and consistent. This time around, it was Real’s press suffocating Inter to an extent. The Italians were tired and had to succumb to the pressure executed by Los Blancos. Fede Valverde led the press fantastically, and he had a pretty good second half. Yes, he did a few things wrong but he made up for those mistakes. His recovery in a lot of sequences was fantastic, and that’s what helped Real a lot in winning back possession. Also, Real’s passing was better and more precise.
Real Madrid’s defenders had a much better game in the second half. They started winning more and more aerial duels and made some crucial clearances. Real Madrid held the majority of possession and even though Inter had a worse half, they still defended well and it was hard to break it down.
Vinicius Jr had a far better second half as he was involved a bit more. He was probably Real Madrid’s most dangerous player in the offense overall, and the fact that he was rarely seen in the first half says a lot.
What matters, in the end, is that Real Madrid collect the three points, which they did against a great opposition on tough ground. That being said, they must make sure that they start the game strongly, because Inter missed a lot of chances. A stronger opposition would’ve definitely scored in the first half.
Real would have to fix this, since it’s been a constant this season. If you look at Real’s last game, they were trailing 2-1 at half-time. So, yes, although there are positives, there are also things that require immediate attention.