Real Madrid 2-1 Internazionale
José Mourinho’s Real Madrid got off to a winning start to their Champions League campaign, beating Italian champions Internazionale in an entertaining clash at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Real came into the match without the suspended Bernardo Silva and reeling from their first dropped points of the season in a 1-0 defeat to Real Betis in La Liga on Friday evening, after which Mourinho publicly defended his players. He was rewarded by the Spaniards going 2-0 up against his former club Inter inside 23 minutes in their Champions League opener on Tuesday evening.
Mourinho’s men ceded much of the possession to Inter on the night and their goals through Kylian Mbappé and Federico Valverde came through Inter making errors during their defensive build-up. After establishing the two-goal advantage, Real regularly created good opportunities on the counter, but having failed to put the game to bed Carlos Augusto’s strike for Inter (77’) meant the game ended somewhat nervously for the hosts.
Nevertheless, Mourinho was satisfied to get off to a winning start over the Nerazzurri, who have reached two of the last four Champions League finals. "It could have ended 5-1 or 6-1 for us; it could also have ended 6-6,” said the former Porto and Benfica boss. “It was a crazy game, and I don’t like that kind of madness.
“I prefer to score 5, 6, or 7 but with absolute control and without needing an absolutely incredible performance from the goalkeeper. In today’s game, whoever decides the best player on the field must have been asleep, because if they don’t give Courtois the best player award today, they never will (laughs). Without taking credit away from Fede, who won it.
“As a coach, I couldn’t do the things I would like to do. If you see Inter’s goal, it’s clear that we had already lowered our defensive intensity and didn’t have too many players who could help us control the game differently. We were very good when we were compact.
“Valverde’s goal [pressing the goalkeeper] wasn’t a coincidence but a great interpretation of the structure and strategy we had. We played against a great team with many options that increased their intensity with the substitutions. It was a tough match with three crucial points. We are three points closer to qualifying, and I am absolutely convinced we will qualify, but getting these three points early is important.”
Viní? His coach is with him - Mourinho
Mourinho substituted Vinícius Jr for the final few minutes after a subpar performance from the Brazilian superstar. Vini Jr has scored in just one of Real’s opening five outings in all competitions, but Mourinho is clearly satisfied with his performance level and insists the time will come for the forward to be more decisive in matches.
“I’m not criticising the fans [for their reaction towards him] but I’m speaking as a coach and about my relationship with him. He deserves all my respect. He’s not at his best, and we all see that.
He’s the first to know it and is working very hard to be the player who decides matches. By not being at his peak, he’s working harder than ever in training and games. When he hasn’t been able to defend, it’s been due to fatigue, but he put in a very good effort during the game.
“I have to appreciate that, and I have great respect for the Vini Jr. I’ve encountered. The time will come when he decides matches.
“If he works for the team, he always has my support. Does this mean he has to start every game or play ninety minutes every match? No, but he will always have my respect and affection. He worked a lot for the team.
“Playing against a team that plays with their eyes closed, with three at the back and pushing their full-backs forward the way they do, is very difficult for wingers. His work and Brahim’s work were very good in closing inside and allowing the full-backs to press on the outside.
“Obviously, he could have killed the game in one of those actions on the left wing, but the Vini Jr. who is at his peak kills the game like he did against Benfica. That’s what we expect from him, but someone who gives everything is not obliged to give more because they have no more to give. And he gave it all.
“When a player gives everything, the coach is with him.”
