Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti passed his first European test with the team after his choices in substitutions resulted in his team's 1-0 victory over Inter, at the "Giuseppe Meazza" stadium.
The Italians made it difficult for their opening Champions League match at Los Blancos, as Simone Inzaghi's 3-5-2 scheme caused problems all over the field.
The Nerazzurri dominated the first half, increasing the pressure on Luka Modric, to the extent that the Croatian star barely managed to communicate with the Real Madrid attackers.
But Ancelotti's men came out in the second half differently, after a torrent of instructions and advice - it seems - that the veteran Italian coach gave his players.
From Valverde to Camavinga to Rodrygo, a
goal with the feet of the future of Real Madrid ❤️pic.twitter.com/vUnOLciyzL
— Mahmoud ⓭㉞ (@MH_1902) September 15, 2021
The influence of the Brazilian Vinicius Junior began to increase, and the movements of the Uruguayan Fede Valverde became more effective.
But this was not enough for Ancelotti, who was not convinced by this development and began to make changes.
Youth before experience
The first to enter the "battle" was the Brazilian Rodrigo Goes, in the place of Lucas Vázquez, an hour after the match.
This was somewhat surprising, given that Ancelotti had already asked Spain's Isco and Belgium's Eden Hazard to warm up, but later chose the young Brazilian to participate.
French newcomer Eduardo Camavinga also put in the last 10 minutes of the match, Modric's tired place.
These substitutions were not without risk, but it paid off with Camavinga and Rodrygo to score the winning goal in the time killer of the Frenchman and the Brazilian record.
This goal made Ancelotti's options in the switch a real milestone.
And the young Frenchman scored a goal and made another in just 34 minutes of playing for Real Madrid so far this season, and if he continues at this level of effectiveness, he will certainly very soon become a key player in Ancelotti's squad.
As for Rodrygo, Ancelotti may have been aware of the Brazilian's excellent record against Inter, which saw him score 3 goals and assist another in less than 90 total minutes against the Nerazzurri over recent seasons.
And left Ancelotti, Isco and Hazard, sitting on the bench, and time will tell whether Ancelotti will repeat the use of young people who have proven their effectiveness, at the expense of the experienced.