How Real Madrid Beat Inter Milan | Postgame Reaction

The Real Deal: A Real Madrid Podcast

Real Madrid opened their Champions League campaign with a 2-1 win over Inter Milan, but the scoreline hid a much shakier performance. Siddharth Ramsundar and Loconte break down José Mourinho’s decision to use Trent Alexander-Arnold in the double pivot, Madrid’s lack of control, the late substitutions, and another huge night from Thibaut Courtois. They also discuss Jude Bellingham’s workload, Vinícius Jr.’s defensive effort, Kylian Mbappé’s uneven performance, Brahim Díaz holding the attack together, and what Jan Diomande needs from this team. Madrid got the result. The bigger question is whether this style can hold up across a full season, especially when Courtois is being asked to make this many saves. Timestamps 00:00 Intro 01:16 Trent Alexander-Arnold in the double pivot 03:10 Madrid’s press and lack of possession 06:27 Are Madrid becoming a one-half team? 08:50 Mourinho waited too long to make changes 10:24 Jude Bellingham’s workload and finishing 13:08 Mbappé, Vinícius and the attacking decisions 14:54 How Inter changed where they attacked Madrid 16:05 Courtois saves Madrid again 18:09 Brahim Díaz’s huge performance 21:47 Valverde’s revealing comments about control 23:43 Mourinho’s pressing plan and postgame comments 26:54 Vinícius is “not Vinícius yet” 31:04 Is Mourinho running Jude into the ground? 34:58 The Thibaut Courtois GOAT debate 39:35 Why failed dribbles hurt Madrid more than bad shots 41:53 Brahim, Diomande and Madrid’s lack of combinations 44:33 Midfield options, Curtis Jones and the passing numbers 48:41 Mourinho admits Trent is not a midfielder 49:53 Mourinho says he wants total control 54:41 Tchouaméni, Arda Güler and what comes next 59:29 Final thoughts and wrap-up