Sergio Ramos and Karim Benzema stood out for Real Madrid in their 3-2 win over Inter Milan in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday.
In an open start to the game, both Real Madrid and Inter Milan posed a threat on either end, but it was the hosts who broke the deadlock, as Karim Benzema scored his second goal in as many UEFA Champions League outings. Just past the half-hour mark, Real Madrid were two to the good, as Sergio Ramos headed in from a Toni Kroos corner.
A couple of minutes later, though, Los Blancos‘ lead was trimmed down to one goal, as Lautaro Martinez scored a fine goal. The game continued to be an end-to-end affair thereafter, albeit with Inter Milan now looking more threatening, which ultimately paid off midway through the second half, as Ivan Perisic scored the leveller, with Martinez becoming the supplier this time.
? FT: @realmadriden 3-2 @Inter_en
⚽ @Benzema 25', @SergioRamos 33', @RodrygoGoes 80'; Lautaro 35', Perišić 68'#Emirates | #HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/KkCNa1irOo— Real Madrid C.F. ???? (@realmadriden) November 3, 2020
But, Real Madrid would have the last laugh as with 10 minutes left in regulation time, Vinicius Jr. played a fine low cross for Rodygo Goes, who made no mistake in scoring the winner. With their first Champions League win of the season now in the bag, The Hard Tackle runs the rule over Zinedine Zidane’s men.
Thibaut Courtois: 6/10
Not the busiest of outings for Courtois, who only had one save to make all game. That stop was quite crucial in the end, as Real Madrid just about eked out the win over Inter Milan. Could not have done much to deny Lautaro Martinez and Ivan Perisic. Saw a lot of the ball and was crucial in build-up play with his precise passing.
Lucas Vazquez: 7.5/10
Another game as a makeshift right-back, another game wherein Lucas Vazquez gave a good account of himself. A constant outlet down the right flank, Vazquez posed a great deal of threat on his forward forays, playing in 3 key passes and creating one big chance as well. Solid at the back, for the most part, the Spaniard was only caught out a couple of times. Quite an asset for Zidane.
Raphael Varane: 6/10
A game of hits and misses for Varane, who forged a solid partnership with Sergio Ramos for large portions of the game; so much so that Courtois was not called it action more than once. However, the Frenchman was a bit flat-footed for each of Inter Milan’s goals. Otherwise, he hardly put a foot wrong, winning each of his duels (4/4) and completing a team-high 6 interceptions.
Sergio Ramos: 8/10
Sergio Ramos scores his 100th goal for Real Madrid ? pic.twitter.com/v3YuDswsLY
— B/R Football (@brfootball) November 3, 2020
A memorable night for Ramos, who scored his 100th goal for Real Madrid with an imposing header in the first half. Defensively, the Spaniard organised the backline well and his only blemish was being caught out of position in the build-up to Perisic’s goal. Apart from that one moment, Ramos was in his elements and was colossal in the air.
Ferland Mendy: 7/10
Starting ahead of Marcelo, Mendy was a solid presence on the left flank for Real Madrid. Up against Achraf Hakimi, the Frenchman had the measure of the former Real Madrid full-back and supported Ramos well on his side. Completed a staggering 5 interceptions, but also made a decisive error in the second which half nearly enabled Inter Milan to score a third. No harm done in the end, though.
Federico Valverde: 8/10
An all-action display by Valverde, who was a rock in midfield, especially with Casemiro not on top of his game. The Uruguayan misplaced just 5 passes all game and completed 5 interceptions, all while keeping Arturo Vidal quiet for the most part, making a mockery of the Chilean’s comments ahead of the game. Played a major role in the build-up to the match-winner.
Casemiro: 5/10
Casemiro does not usually have off days, but this was one of them for him on Tuesday. In a game wherein Inter Milan grew as the minutes ticked by, it did not bode well for Real Madrid that the Brazilian was sloppy on the ball, losing possession 18 times. Also dribbled past a couple of times. A rare blip.
Toni Kroos: 6/10
Much like Casemiro, Kroos was not quite at his best on Tuesday. The German playmaker was accurate as ever with the ball at his feet and grabbed the assist for Ramos’ goal. However, he faded as the game progressed, especially in the phase when Inter Milan were getting on top of Real Madrid, before eventually being taken off for Luka Modric.
Marco Asensio: 5/10
For the second game in a row, Asensio struggled to make the desired impact on the proceedings. The Spaniard was uninvolved for the most part and wasteful a lot of times when he did see the ball. Still seems to be making his way back to peak fitness and sharpness, but he did help Vazquez out during the defensive phases.
Karim Benzema: 8/10
⚽️6⃣7⃣ Only four players in history have scored more Champions League goals than Karim Benzema…#UCL pic.twitter.com/uwuVTIh0qZ
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) November 3, 2020
Following a top-class showing against Huesca, Benzema left his mark on the game against Inter Milan as well. The Frenchman handed Real Madrid the lead midway through the first half with a fine close-range finish after being gifted the ball by Hakimi. Continued being a menace in the final third and opened up play superbly to find Vinicius Jr. before Rodrygo Goes scored the winner.
Eden Hazard: 6/10
Coming off the back of a solid display in the weekend La Liga game, Hazard started strongly versus Inter Milan, creating the early chance for Asensio. Thereafter, though, the Belgian international saw his influence waning and he failed to take a single shot in the game.
SUBSTITUTES
Vinicius Jr.: 7.5/10
As Real Madrid sought to put the game to bed, Vinicius Jr. replaced Hazard and looked to make a point after losing his place in the side. The Brazilian only misplaced one pass in the final quarter of the game before teeing up Rodrygo for the winner after linking up superbly with Benzema. It was his directness that changed the tide of the game.
Rodrygo Goes: 7.5/10
Rodrygo has five goals and three assists across eight Champions League appearances for Real Madrid ?
He's still just 19 ? pic.twitter.com/MOWmZaTeK5
— Goal (@goal) November 4, 2020
Up until his goal, Rodrygo was quite anonymous for the most part, with the majority of Real Madrid’s moves flowing through the left flank. Made the difference when it mattered, calmly finishing off a fine team move. Now has 5 goals and 3 assists in 8 Champions League appearances.
Luka Modric: N/A
On for Kroos, Modric exerted Real Madrid’s dominance in the game in the final quarter of an hour or so, even creating a chance late on.
