Real Madrid's pedigree to shine through in Milan
The Champions League is back and last season’s semi finalists Real Madrid begin their campaign with a trip to Serie A champions Inter Milan. It has been a summer of transition at the San Siro, with Antonio Conte, Achraf Hakimi and Romelu Lukaku the most high profile departures and Simone Inzaghi leaving Lazio to arrive at the helm. The hosts come in as narrow favourites which comes as a little surprise, with the market trotting out a fairly nice price for us to break down on Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid. With Lukaku gone, Karim Benzema will be intent on showing the home crowd his attacking talent and leading Real to the summit of Group D.
Background
This is the second season in a row that Inter Milan, Real Madrid and Shakhtar Donetsk are in the same Champions League group. The Galacticos and Borussia Monchengladbach progressed last season with Inter finishing rock bottom, capitalising on a lack of European football to push on and win the Scudetto. Sheriff Tiraspol make up the quartet as likely whipping for these two sides, Real were 3-2 and 2-0 winners over Inter last term and with that in mind it is a surprise to see them come in as outsiders.
David Alaba and Eduardo Camavinga are the headline additions in the Spanish capital this summer, Alaba is sure to soften the blow of Sergio Ramos’ departure for Paris Saint-Germain. There has been a lot made of the demise of La Liga and the quality of Barcelona and Real Madrid in the last few seasons, however they still have a competitive side in the Champions League and La Liga just not ones to rival old.
Karim Benzema is getting better with age and with Gareth Bale returning to the club, the early 30s forwards are more than capable of carrying the can while Real try to save up for Kylian Mbappe. Lautaro Martinez is still present at the top of the pitch for Inter and will be a thorn in the side for certain. Alaba’s injury weakens Real considerably but with the form of the likes of Vinicius Junior and Benzema, with greater experience and pedigree in the competition, the Galacticos have the upper hand here.
Luka Modric, somehow, is performing as well as ever and could dictate play on matchday one.
This is the pick of Wednesday’s action in my opinion, Benzema is a pleasure to watch in this form and his intelligence and leadership by example should inspire the younger players at the San Siro.
Post bet chat Marcus's Tips:
Rodrygo won it late out, good run continues. 1-0 Real.