06 December 2021, 16:03 | 28 August 2021, 15:29
The UEFA Champions League Group D fixture, Real Madrid CF vs. Inter Milan, kicks off at 21:00 (GMT+1) on Tuesday, December 7, at the Santiago Bernabéu. For the duration of the entire game, Felix Brych (GER) will have an extra pair of eyes from the Video Assistant Referee, Marco Fritz (GER).
Preview Real Madrid Champions League, Dec 7, 2021
Preview Real Madrid enters this top-of-the-table clash with 12 points from 4W, 0D, and 1L, two points ahead of second-placed Inter Milan. Having qualified, this highly anticipated fixture is a contest for the prize of first place and a technically easier fixture in the next round. On UCL MD5, Madrid made light work of Sheriff Tiraspol in a 3-0 win at the Bolshaya Sportivnaya Arena. Back on the home front, Real Madrid reiterated their domestic dominance with a 2-0 win over Real Sociedad over the weekend, leaving the club with five straight victories across all competitions, WWWWW. However, the victory came at the costly price of losing star man Karim Benzema to a hamstring injury, which could see the Frenchman ruled out for the rest of the year. Instrumental to Madrid’s remarkable form over the past few weeks, Carlo Ancelotti will have to make changes to his familiar attacking trio in the 4—3—3 formation. Luka Jović is expected to take the place of the injured Benzema, while playing alongside Vinicius Jnr. and Rodrygo on Tuesday. With the exception of Benzema, Carlo Ancelotti has a fully fit squad ahead of this fixture. However, if booked, Casemiro and Mendy will miss the next match.
Preview Inter Champions League, Dec 7, 2021
Preview Three-time UEFA Champions League winners, Inter Milan, return to the Champions League after Saturday’s 3-0 win over Roma in Serie A. The Italian side moved into 2nd place in the Serie A table at the weekend after sweeping Jose Mourinho's Roma aside. Back on European soil, Inter Milan picked up a 2-0 win over Shakhtar Donetsk on UCL Matchday 5, with Edin Džeko (61’ & 67’) bagging the brace. The Matchday 5 double took him to 50 goals in UEFA club competition, leaving him as the 20th player to reach the numerical milestone. Inter Milan has 10 points from 3W, 1D, and 1L and are back in the Champions League with five straight victories across all competitions: WWWWW. Simone Inzaghi’s dynamic 3—5—2 formation will be seen once again with Edin Dzeko and Lautaro Martinez in attack. Inter Milan also have their own injury woes. Joaquin Correa recently picked up a hamstring injury and remains doubtful for this fixture. In addition, Stefan de Vrij, who has not played since picking up a thigh injury while on international duty on the 13th of November, remains doubtful alongside Matteo Darmian and Andrea Ranocchia.