3 Real Madrid players with a point to prove vs. Inter Milan

ST Luka Jovic

But nobody has a bigger point to prove on Matchday 6 of the 2021-2022 Champions League than Luka Jovic. The backup striker will most likely start on Tuesday night, because Karim Benzema suffered an injury early in Saturday’s win over Real Sociedad. Benzema is expected to be out vs. Inter and could also miss next weekend’s rivalry clash with Atletico Madrid in La Liga.

That Real Madrid still beat La Real on Saturday despite Benzema’s injury is a credit to Jovic, who was one of the three stars of the night. Jovic was involved in both goals. He assisted the first with some excellent hold-up/combination play with Vinicius Junior, and he scored the second opportunistically with a diving header.

Both goals showed exactly what the 23-year-old can bring to the table. The Madrid attack has been crying out for another striker option to spell Benzema this season, as fears of fatigue have been whispered about since the No. 9 returned to France national team duty. And now that Benz is injured, the opportunity has been thrust upon the previously forgotten Jovic.

Signed for 60 million euros by Zinedine Zidane, Jovic flashed in his first season at the Bernabeu but was discarded in 2020-2021 before an uneventful loan to his old club, Eintracht Frankfurt.

Now, the strong and clinical striker is ready to prove himself with his final shot before Real Madrid ostensibly pursue current Bundesliga standout Erling Haaland. Jovic’s night against Inter will be very important to his career, whether or not he remains in Madrid. Interestingly enough, Inter – along with rivals AC Milan – have shown significant interest in Jovic.