Real Madrid have snatched three crucial points in their UEFA Champions League match with a 2-0 victory over Antonio Conte’s Inter Milan. The Whites were facing a 10 men side for about an hour in the fixture after Arturo Vidal was sent off for dissent.
Eden Hazard tucked home a neat penalty in the early minutes of the game after Nacho was fouled in a rather advanced position inside the Inter penalty box. Handanovic guessed the right direction but could not stop the effort from the Belgian’s right foot.
Rodrygo was quick off the bench to leave a mark and scored from a Lucas Vasquez cross in the 58th minute of the match. Everything seemed to go Zidane’s way ever since. The Whites now sit second in Group B. Here’s how Real Madrid players fared in their victory at the San Siro stadium –
GK : Thibaut Courtois – 8/10
The Belgian was drawn into the game a couple of times and responded decently each time. Courtois made a crucial save in the dying minutes of the game which could have fallen to anyone but luckily for Zidane, it came to a Real defender.
RB : Dani Carvajal – 8/10
An impressive performance from Carvajal who was industrious down the right-hand side. Even attacking wise Carvajal had an amazing night in Milan.
CB : Raphael Varane – 8/10
Varane acted as the leader of the back four in the absence of Sergio Ramos. The World Cup winner did not seem to put a foot wrong at the San Siro stadium.
CB : Nacho Fernandes – 7/10
A satisfactory performance by Nacho who was deputising for Sergio Ramos. Nacho was caught a bit off guard once or twice but responded appropriately and dealt with the situation.
LB : Ferland Mendy – 8/10
Mendy put in an extremely committed shift. The French fullback’s defensive solidity is an additional advantage for the Whites.
CM : Luka Modric – 8/10
Modric was exceptional in midfield and kept the game ticking for Real. Zidane’s pre game plan was put to the task perfectly by Modric alongside his partner Toni Kroos.
CM : Toni Kroos – 7/10
The German was crisp and precise in midfield. Kroos spread the play far and wide for Los Blancos. The midfield maestro was actually calling the shots from midfield.
CM : Martin Odegaard – 7/10
Odegaard had a pleasant evening in Milan. His touches were neat and tidy. Odegaard made way for Casemiro just prior to the hour mark.
RW : Lucas Vasquez – 7/10
The Spaniard was a surprise inclusion in the starting eleven and Lucas lived upto the responsibilities shouldered on him by Zidane. Vasquez delivered a juicy cross to Rodrygo who scored Real’s second goal of the night.
ST : Mariano – 7/10
The striker had a rather quiet evening and a lot more was expected of him especially in the absence of Karim Benzema and Luka Jovic.
LW : Eden Hazard – 8/10
Hazard scored a crucial penalty which allowed Madrid to have a firm grip on the tie. The Belgian wizard had a stunning evening in Milan and Vinicius Jr was brought on to replace him in the 78th minute.
Substitutes
CM : Casemiro – 7/10
The Brazilian had a rather easy time in midfield as Inter were rescued to 10 men around the 30minute mark in the game. All the Bernabeu faithful will be delighted with the return of Casemiro.
ST – Rodrygo – 8/10
The attacker made an immediate impact off the substitutes bench and scored a goal within one minute of his arrival. Rodrygo’s goal allowed Real to have far more breathing space.
LW – Vinicius Jr – NA
Did not have much involvement with play post coming on.
