A short review
The First Half
The game had very much to play for, for both sides, with Inter coming into the game bottom of the group. Real Madrid themselves were under pressure after their poor start to this Champions League season. There was considerable nervousness in both sets of fans.
Inter were expected to start the game well and push Real Madrid backward. However, the Spanish side started the game with intensity in their pressing and precision in their passing. Real Madrid’s pressure won them a penalty when Nacho Fernandez when down in the box. In the absence of their skipper, Sergio Ramos, Eden Hazard stepped up and took the lead.
The pressure kept coming Inter’s way, and they did not have any answers to it. Real Madrid’s constant switch of play was causing various issues to Inter’s narrow midfield. However, there was a bold penalty appeal when Arturo Vidal went down in Madrid’s box. Referee Anthony Taylor decided not to give a penalty, and VAR agreed, but Vidal ran towards the referee and shouted on his face with over-aggression. The Chilian was shown two yellow cards in the space of a few seconds, and Inter were down to ten men.
The first half ended with Real Madrid being in total control of the game. The away side recorded 60% possession in the first half. The possession was effectively used as they had 8 shots with half of them on target. Interestingly, 5 out of those 8 shots were taken from inside the box. The most significant difference is Zidane’s side completed 9 dribbles, and Conte’s Inter didn’t complete a single dribble in the whole of the first half.
The Second Half
The second half started with Conte sending Ivan Perisic and D’Ambrosio on the pitch and shifted to a back four. Romelu Lukaku was playing up top on his own. Inter had some moments as they used the aerial ability of Lukaku and Perisic and won quite a few second balls. However, these were all half chances, and Real were defending expertly. Real Madrid kept the pressure on Inter, and in the 59’ minute, Achraf Hakimi scored an own goal, and the game was over.
In the second half, Real were dominating the ball, and inter had no answers whatsoever. They didn’t have as many shots as they had in the first half, but they rested in the possession and effectively got the points. An awesome win for Zidane but a lot of work to do for Conte as Inter could well get knocked out in the group stage.
Fixture Details: [fixture 17361031]
Eye-catching performers
Nacho Fernandez
The experienced center back was filling the boots of their inspiring skipper Sergio Ramos and was outstanding on the night. Playing well behind, the Spaniard made some dazzling forward runs. He completed 3 clearances, 1 interception, and also a fantastic 5 tackles. Nacho was well composed in possession and completed 45 passes.
Toni Kroos
Real Madrid’s German midfield maestro was at the heart of everything his side did against Inter, and his passing was immaculate all around. The 30-year-old completed 147 passes and two key passes by recording an accuracy of 97% in the process. Extraordinarily, he completed 13 long balls out of 13 attempted. Defensively as well, blocked 1 shot, completed 2 tackles along with 1 interception.
