The Real Deal: A Real Madrid Podcast

How Real Madrid Beat Inter Milan | Postgame Reaction

September 8, 2026·1h 1m
Episode Description from the Publisher

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.Timestamps00:00 Intro01:16 Trent Alexander-Arnold in the double pivot03:10 Madrid’s press and lack of possession06:27 Are Madrid becoming a one-half team?08:50 Mourinho waited too long to make changes10:24 Jude Bellingham’s workload and finishing13:08 Mbappé, Vinícius and the attacking decisions14:54 How Inter changed where they attacked Madrid16:05 Courtois saves Madrid again18:09 Brahim Díaz’s huge performance21:47 Valverde’s revealing comments about control23:43 Mourinho’s pressing plan and postgame comments26:54 Vinícius is “not Vinícius yet”31:04 Is Mourinho running Jude into the ground?34:58 The Thibaut Courtois GOAT debate39:35 Why failed dribbles hurt Madrid more than bad shots41:53 Brahim, Diomande and Madrid’s lack of combinations44:33 Midfield options, Curtis Jones and the passing numbers48:41 Mourinho admits Trent is not a midfielder49:53 Mourinho says he wants total control54:41 Tchouaméni, Arda Güler and what comes next59:29 Final thoughts and wrap-up

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