José Mourinho’s return to the Champions League with Real Madrid ended with three points, but there was little comfort in the manner of the victory.
Real Madrid defeated Inter Milan 2–1 at the Santiago Bernabéu on Tuesday night, making a winning start to their European campaign after taking advantage of two costly Inter errors in the first half and then surviving a sustained second-half assault.
Kylian Mbappé and Federico Valverde put Madrid in control inside the opening 25 minutes. Carlos Augusto pulled one back for Inter in the 77th minute, setting up a tense finish in which Real Madrid were forced increasingly deep.
In the end, the difference was Thibaut Courtois.
The Belgian goalkeeper produced a series of important saves to prevent Inter from turning their pressure into an equaliser. Madrid had periods of attacking quality, but their victory was built as much on defensive resistance as on their attacking stars. Reuters reported that Inter enjoyed the larger share of possession despite ultimately leaving Spain empty-handed.
Madrid strike when Inter lose concentration
Inter began with enough confidence to suggest that Mourinho’s side would not be allowed an easy night. But Madrid needed only one defensive lapse to change the game.
In the 14th minute, Brahim Díaz capitalised on a mistake involving Yann Bisseck and supplied Mbappé. The French forward made no mistake, finishing to give Madrid an early advantage. It was Mbappé’s first Champions League goal of the new campaign and his fifth goal of the season.
Inter had not been completely outplayed, but the goal changed the atmosphere inside the Bernabéu. Nine minutes later, Madrid struck again.
This time the error came from Inter goalkeeper Josep Martínez, whose attempt to play out from the back went badly wrong. Valverde reacted quickest and converted the opportunity to make it 2–0. Two Madrid goals had arrived from moments when Inter’s own decision-making failed them. For Mourinho, that was precisely the kind of efficiency he would have wanted.
Inter refuse to disappear
The two-goal deficit did not destroy Inter. Instead, the Italian side gradually took greater control of the match. Madrid were forced to defend for longer periods, while Inter began finding spaces around the Spanish side’s midfield and defensive lines. Courtois became increasingly important.
Madrid’s attacking players continued to threaten at the other end, but the home side were no longer dictating the match. Inter’s pressure eventually produced its reward in the 77th minute. Lautaro Martínez delivered a low ball into the area and Carlos Augusto finished the move to make it 2–1.
Suddenly the Bernabéu became nervous. The match that Madrid had appeared to control in the first half had become a survival exercise.
Courtois closes the door
Inter had opportunities to complete the comeback. Courtois repeatedly intervened, including a late save from Henrikh Mkhitaryan, while Madrid’s defenders were forced into blocks and clearances. The goalkeeper finished with seven important saves, according to player ratings from Managing Madrid.
The final score gave Mourinho a winning start on his return to Champions League football with the club, but the performance also raised questions. Real Madrid were clinical when Inter made mistakes, yet they were far less convincing once Inter increased the pressure.
That may not matter on opening night. Champions League campaigns are long, and three points away from the perfect performance are still three points.
But Inter will leave Madrid knowing they had opportunities to take something from the game.
Madrid, meanwhile, will leave knowing that Mbappé can punish mistakes and that Courtois remains capable of saving them when their own mistakes begin to appear. For Mourinho, it was a victory.
For Real Madrid, it was also a warning. The European journey has begun with three points, but there is plenty to improve.
