Real Madrid are currently riding a streak of eight consecutive wins in La Liga and the Champions League. Not since their 0-0 mid-week draw with Osasuna in late October have Los Blancos dropped points. They have begun a streak of difficult matches, and they have started off with gritty wins over Sevilla and Athletic Club, followed by a more convincing display at the Anoeta on Saturday night.
On Tuesday night, Real Madrid will face Inter Milan at the Santiago Bernabeu. It will be their fourth meeting against the Nerazzurri in two seasons, but their first at their true home stadium. Earlier in this Champions League season, Los Blancos edged out Inter at the San Siro 1-0 behind a late winner from Rodrygo Goes.
While Real will be the favorites on Tuesday, Inter are also in a good position. The defending Serie A champions have won each of their last five matches, with a streak of three straight clean sheets. This past weekend, they defeated Roma 3-0 to move into second, just one point behind Milan. That was their draw before the five straight victories.
Real Madrid will have their work cut out for them. Here is a look at three players with a point to prove at the Bernabeu in the final 2021-2022 Champions League group stage matchup.
RB Dani Carvajal
Dani Carvajal is the main attacking threat of the players in Real’s back four, though Eder Militao’s outlet passes and David Alaba’s overall technical quality have been important to Los Blancos. The team asks Carvajal to do a lot, and they expect him to meet this level. Real Madrid is a much better side when Carvajal is at his best, and they often suffer serious letdown performances when the No. 2 falters.
Madridistas want to see the best version of Carvajal in these big matches. Yes, Real is already through to the knockout stages, but every match matters. Winning the group matters. And Carvajal will need to avoid making mistakes against an Inter side that loves exploiting wide areas of the pitch.