Real Madrid have registered their first victory of the 2020/21 UEFA Champions League after beating Inter Milan 3-2 at the Alfredo de Stefano stadium.
The Whites took an early lead in the fixture when Karim Benzema put the ball past Handanovic in the 25th minute. Sergio Ramos was quick to double Real’s advantage as he scored from a corner kick in the 33rd minute of the game. Inter bounced back with two goals from Martinez and Perisic but it was not enough for them as they ended up conceding in the 80th minute.
Second-half substitutes, Rodrygo and Vinicius, wrapped up the evening for Zidane and ensured three points from this Matchday 3 fixture. Here’s how Zidane’s men rated in their 3-2 victory against the Italian giants –
GK : Thibaut Courtois – 7/10
An unsatisfactory performance from Courtois who could have done better for both the goals that Real Madrid conceded on the night.
RB : Lucas Vasquez – 7/10
Lucas Vasquez put in a decent shift at the right-back spot. However, the absence of Dani Carvajal certainly pinches the Whites.
CB : Raphael Varane – 7/10
An average performance from Varane in defence. The World Cup winner would not be content with his display on the evening. Martinez was able to turn around Varane with considerable ease for the first goal.
CB : Segio Ramos – 8/10
A good solid performance from Ramos in the backline. The captain was alert and agile in defence. Ramos, being Ramos, just could not resist scoring a goal as well.
LB : Ferland Mendy – 8/10
A commanding display from Mendy down the left-hand side as he barely seemed to put a foot wrong on the night.
CM : Federico Valverde – 8/10
Energetic and vibrant as always, the Uruguayan midfielder was right on top of his game.
CM : Casemiro – 7/10
A lacklustre performance from Casemiro who seemed to be a bit tired. Picked himself a yellow card for an untimely challenge on Martinez.
CM : Toni Kroos – 8/10
Toni Kroos is the engine in this Real Madrid side. The German dictated play from midfield against Inter and ensured Real got past the finish line. The German midfielder engineered Real’s second goal from closed play as Sergio Ramos headed in.
RW : Marco Asensio – 8/10
A lively performance by Asensio who showboated throughout the game. The Spaniard’s deft touches and mesmerising skills were an absolute joy to watch.
ST : Karim Benzema – 8/10
The striker opened the scoring in this UEFA Champions League matchday 3 fixture after a sloppy back pass by Conte’s men. Benzema could have easily added a couple of more to his tally of goals, but his finishing let him down.
LW : Eden Hazard – 7/10
The Belgian wizard was the star man on the pitch as he drew in a couple of Inter players each time he got himself on the ball. Antonio Conte is well versed with Hazard from their time at Chelsea and made it a point to have him appropriately marked at all times. Hazard was substituted in the second half and will be pretty happy about his show against the Italian side.
Substitutes
LW : Vincius Jr – 7/10
Set up Real Madrid’s third goal of the night which turned out to be a winner. Rodrygo put across a juicy ball into the box after a wonderful run down the left-hand side. Rodrygo found himself on the other end of this move and scored the winner.
RW : Rodrygo – 7/10
Scored the winning goal of the night as he absolutely fired the ball past Handanovic. The Brazilian teenager made the most of the opportunity given to him by Zidane and also opened his account for the 2020/21 Champions League season.
CM : Luka Modric – 6/10
Did not have much involvement with play post coming on.
