Real Madrid launched their European campaign with a win that was as precious as it was worrying. At the Santiago Bernabéu, José Mourinho's men beat Inter Milan (2-1), after having been two goals up as early as the 23rd minute. It was a night where Kylian Mbappé and Fede Valverde made the difference, but above all one where Thibaut Courtois prevented the script from turning against them.
A start to the match at full speed
Yet Inter did not wait to put Real under pressure. As early as the 3rd minute, Marcus Thuram forced Courtois into a first reflex save. The message was clear: the Italians had not come to sit back.
But Real struck on their first real attack. In the 14th minute, Brahim Díaz won the ball high up the pitch, found Mbappé in the box, and the Frenchman finished first time. 1-0, the Bernabéu breathes.
Eleven minutes later, another hammer blow. Madrid's pressing disrupted Inter's build-up play and Valverde took advantage of a failed clearance by Josep Martínez to win back the ball and double the lead. 2-0 after just 23 minutes.
Inter nevertheless kept playing. In the 35th minute, Jones's shot crashed against the crossbar. In stoppage time, Mbappé set off from midfield, beat Çalhanoğlu and forced Martínez into a spectacular save. Bellingham tried to follow up, then Brahim hit the post.
A suspenseful second half
After the break, Madrid missed several chances for a third goal. Mbappé was denied in the 49th minute, Bellingham in the 58th, then Mbappé again in the 66th. This lack of efficiency would end up proving costly.
In the 76th minute, Carlos Augusto pulled one back. Suddenly, the Bernabéu began to doubt. Inter pushed forward, Madrid retreated and Courtois made save after save. In the 89th minute, the Belgian goalkeeper made another decisive stop to preserve the three points.
Valverde, named man of the match, himself admitted that Madrid had struggled after the break:
'We didn't play our game' and lacked patience in managing the ball.
(Source: Real Madrid CF | Official Website)
First lesson
Real already possess a formidable weapon: their efficiency in key moments. But this win also reveals a fragility in controlling the match. Two goals in 23 minutes are not enough when the opponent can dominate possession and come back into the game.
Mbappé scored, Valverde scored. But for Mourinho, the true hero of this European opener could well be Courtois.
Real take the three points. Inter, for their part, leave with the conviction that they could have done much better.
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