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Sergio Ramos scored his 100th goal for Real Madrid by beating Internazionale 3-2 on Tuesday night to maintain his chances of qualifying from Group B of the Champions League.
A busy first half saw Marco Asensio take a shot that goalkeeper Samir Handanovic flipped over the bar with just three minutes played, before Nicolo Barella hit the wood with a header and Arturo Vidal fired into the side net. Karim Benzema opened the scoring, pouncing on Achraf Hakimi’s bad back pass, and Ramos doubled Madrid’s lead with a corner header from Toni Kroos. Lautaro Martínez retired a goal a minute later after a touch of the heel from Barella.
After the break, Inter drew through Ivan Perisic before substitutes Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo combined for a late Madrid win.
Positive
Madrid’s hopes of reaching the knockout stage seemed slim after their 3-2 loss to Shakhtar Donetsk two weeks ago and their 2-0 loss to Borussia Monchengladbach last week. They battled to get a point in Germany, and this victory, against their strongest rival in the group, puts them in a much better position.
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The reaction after Inter rallied to 2-2 was impressive, with Vinicius and Rodrygo bringing some energy and cutting edge from the bench. The latter now has five goals in eight Champions League games and is a very useful plan B for coach Zinedine Zidane.
Negative
Real Madrid have conceded two or more goals in their last five Champions League games and have not kept a clean sheet in their last six games in all competitions. Going up 2-0 from the start they should have been able to go on and win this comfortably. Instead, it was a much more difficult and close victory. The team needs to find a way to toughen up behind or they will have no chance of winning the Champions League this season.
Manager rating out of 10
7 – The match saw Zidane face off against his friend and former teammate Antonio Conte, a manager Real Madrid almost named in 2018. The two coaches couldn’t be more different in style and approach: Zidane, the laid-back man-coach, against Conte, the disciplined fierce.
Zidane made two changes from the team that beat Huesca in La Liga, both expected, with Ferland Mendy replacing Marcelo and Kroos entering for Luka Modric. With the exception of the injured Dani Carvajal, this is now Zidane’s favorite eleven in big games. The team started well, aided by a generous Inter at the rear, and then let in the visitors, before Zidane’s double change paid off.
Player ratings (1-10; 10 = best. Players submitted after 70 minutes are not rated)
GK Thibaut Courtois, 6 years old – Saved from Martinez from the beginning. He couldn’t do anything with any of Inter’s goals. Courtois needs more protection from his defense.
DF Lucas Vázquez, 6 – Fit after getting injured over the weekend and faced Ashley Young. He advanced frequently, overlapping Asensio. Caught bad by Vidal, who was cautioned, before the break.
DF Raphael Varane, 7 – A timely interception to steal the ball from Martinez in the first half, but he left too much room for the same player for his goal. He looks better with Ramos by his side, as he admitted before the game.
DF Sergio Ramos, 8 – One hundred goals for Real Madrid now. This was classic Ramos, getting up to meet Kroos’s corner at the near post with a guided header. Busy defensively, he received an early warning when he was hit by Martinez from the left and blocked a dangerous cross in the second half.
DF Ferland Mendy, 7 years old He seems so comfortable in a Real Madrid jersey now, regardless of the occasion. Strong in attack and defense, with all the ingredients to be Madrid’s first choice left-back for many years.
MF Casemiro, 7 – He performed well in a midfield battle against the feisty duo of Vidal and Marcelo Brozovic.
MF Federico Valverde, 8 – He has played so well lately that his selection ahead of Modric is no longer a surprise. Place a dangerous-looking early crossover in the six-yard area, before shooting twice over the bar in the first half. He also played a key role in Madrid’s triumph.
MF Toni Kroos, 7 – Fresh after having rested in front of Huesca. He flipped a trademark, pinpointed the corner kick for Ramos’ goal, and played well before being knocked out by Modric.
FW Eden Hazard, 6 – His second consecutive start. Easy going, with some encouraging moments. Madrid will hope that a first half broke into the area, moving to the rhythm of the ball at the feet, it was a sign of things to come. Wounded by Brozovic in the second half and was substituted shortly after.
DEL Karim Benzema, 7 – Four goals in three games now. He reacted quickly to take advantage of his former teammate Hakimi’s mistake for the opener. It was his 49th goal in the group stage of the Champions League. Only Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have more.
DEL Marco Asensio, 6 – His fifth consecutive start, since Zidane has trusted Asensio, betting on him to regain his form prior to his cruciate ligament injury. He had an early shot well saved by Handanovic and caused problems early when a reversed winger attacked from the right, but faded as the match progressed.
Substitutes
PW Vinicius Junior 8 – Introduced with 25 minutes to go, entering through Hazard, and setting up Rodrygo’s goal brilliantly.
FW Rodrygo, 8 – He replaced Asensio and achieved a late winner. His scoring record in this competition is impressive.
MF Luka Modric, N / A – He played the last 10 minutes.
