Leader in La Liga, solid in the Champions League, Carlo Ancelotti's Real Madrid is rolling out!

After a complicated start on the European scene, the Madrilenians ended the group stage with convincing success at home, their 9th in all competitions, thanks to two very nice goals.

Toni Kroos opened the scoring with a cross strike from the left from 25 meters in the 17th, then Marco Asensio, entered in place of Rodrygo in the 78th, sealed the score with a superb curled strike from the left from his first ball a minute later, in the 79th, which touched the post before entering, leaving Handanovic in place.

The joy of German Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos after opening the scoring at home against Inter Milan on Matchday 6 of Group D of the Champions League on December 7, 2021 at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu PIERRE-PHILIPPE MARCOU AFP

Madrilenians as Milanese having already qualified for the round of 16, the only stake of this meeting was the fight for the first place of the group.

And it was Real who consolidated their rank at the Santiago-Bernabeu stadium.

Barella sees red

The Turinese had a few chances, like this long volley from Marcelo Brozovic who alerted Thibaut Courtois in the 7th minute, or this attempt by Nicolo Barella who saw his shot fly back from the locker room (46th ).

The Italian European champion will also be expelled in the 63rd, for a punch given in the legs of Eder Militao when the Brazilian had just tackled him.

German referee Felix Brych gives Inter Milan midfielder Nicolo Barella a red card during the match against Real Madrid, counting for Matchday 6 of Group D of the Champions League, on December 7, 2021 in the Santiago-Bernabeu Stadium OSCAR DEL POZO AFP

But the Merengue dominated the game overall. "We would have liked to have a little more possession, but that was the coach's plan. He told us not to squeeze them high, to let them have the ball in their court and to assault them when they entered. Ours. With the balls recovered, we were effective against. We had a very good match, "relished Luka Modric at the final whistle on Movistar +.

"I really liked the defensive aspect. There is a commitment that we did not have at the start of the season. With a low defensive block, we are good, we are at ease. There are teams. more intense than us, but each with their own qualities. Here, the objective is to go to the end, not just to qualify for the 8th, "joined Ancelotti in a post-match press conference.

Jovic still shines

In the absence of Karim Benzema, affected in the left leg on Saturday against Real Sociedad in La Liga (2-0), it was Luka Jovic who replaced him at the forefront.

And after his very successful entry into San Sebastián, the Serbian stood out again on Wednesday, with certainly a missed duel against Samir Handanovic (36th), but attractive details, especially his back to goal.

Serbian Real Madrid striker Luka Jovic wrestles with Croatian Inter Milan midfielder Marcelo Brozovic on UEFA Champions League Group D Matchday 6 on December 7, 2021 at Estadio Santiago -Bernabeu PIERRE-PHILIPPE MARCOU AFP

The young Brazilian Rodrygo also had his chances just before the break: his point of the right hit the left upright of the Inter goalkeeper (44th), and in the process, his attempt in force of the right did not catch the framework.

And the score could have been even heavier, if Mariano Diaz had not missed the inevitable, alone against the open goal in the 83rd.

A miss that does not change the result: Real Ancelotti is gaining strength, and will find six years after the round of 16 of the queen of European competitions under the orders of the Italian.

© 2021 AFP