The result could have been scandalous, such was the flood of chances missed by both teams, especially when the match completely opened up in the second half. But before that, what was seen was a team that proposed, Inter, and the other, Madrid, who took advantage of their opponent’s ridiculous blunders to take control of the match. Mbappé and Valverde were the ones to thank Inter for their mistakes and put Mourinho’s team in the lead, which ended up securing a hard-fought victory in their Champions League debut.
Read more The Government of Portugal overcomes the motion of no confidence that exposes its fragile situation
Because Inter, a team that has historically boasted a lethal counterattack, showed up at the Bernabéu with a style opposite to their idiosyncrasy. Against a Madrid that is not known for having an excellent midfield, the Italian team went out determined to control the ball. And indeed they did, at times overwhelmingly. Because Inter created football and chances, but also gross errors that condemned them. Their performance was magnificent but they forgave in both areas. In the opponent’s area, they ran into Courtois’ hands, who saved dangerous shots from Thuram, Çalhanoglu, and Lautaro Martínez. In their own area, they gifted the 1-0 and 2-0. In the first, Bissek, overwhelmed, lost the ball and Brahim quickly activated Mbappé to score. In the second, a comedy in favor of Madrid. Inter’s Valencian goalkeeper, Josep Martínez, tried to do a roulette dribble on Valverde, who put his foot in and scored. Before the half-hour mark, Cristian Chivu’s team was losing 2-0 against a speculative Madrid with a midfield formed by Alexander-Arnold and Valverde.
That is why Mourinho wanted his team to wait, press when they could, and try to take advantage of the opponent’s mistakes. The Whites did this perfectly. They crouched and then launched Vinícius and Mbappé, the only forwards, since Diomande, the most expensive signing in the club’s history, chained his fifth consecutive benching.
Goalkeeper Josep Martínez tried to do a roulette in the area against Valverde, who put his foot in and scored
Madrid came from their first defeat of the season, at La Cartuja, and needed to get back on the winning track, which they could have extended just before halftime. This time, Josep Martínez, trained at La Masia, made a great save, deflecting a close-range shot from Bellingham. Three Madrid attacks, two goals, and a very clear chance. Greater efficiency, almost impossible, although it is true that afterwards their accuracy was not so sharp.
The outlook for Inter was not promising at all because the score allowed Mourinho’s Madrid to do exactly what their coach had planned. If Chivu’s team had taken risks, even too many, from the start of the match, now they had no choice but to attack and attack and expose their backs.
Read more Judge Peinado closes the investigation into Begoña Gómez and leaves her on the verge of the bench
They did so and the tide did not change. Thuram shot over from close range and his teammates failed to capitalize on the deliveries from a good Çalhanoglu, strangely substituted when he was the best on his team. Chivu made three substitutions at once, already desperate.
The start of the match was a monologue by Inter, who ran into Courtois’ saves
Inter kept making efforts to get a better result but Courtois was not willing to be beaten and pulled off a glove save against a hard shot from Bastoni. On the other side of the field, Josep Martínez was again providential first against Bellingham and then against a selfish Mbappé.
Madrid could have paid dearly for those missed chances since Inter finally hit the target after a cross from Lautaro Martínez that Carlos Augusto finished. There was still almost a quarter of an hour plus added time left and Inter came alive. Mourinho then decided to shelter and replaced Vinícius with Carreras, who had to wait an extra minute to come on because the Brazilian had wasted time leaving the pitch. In any case, there were no more goals and Madrid took the three points.
Read more Two other minors arrested for the murder of Carles Vilajosana
