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Real Madrid managed to put their indifferent league form and skipper Sergio Ramos' absence behind them as they produced a clinical display to win at the home of a star-studded Inter Milan in the 2020-21 UEFA Champions League. In the process, Real Madrid won at the historic San Siro, the home of Serie A giants AC Milan and Inter Milan, for the first time in 17 games.
Eden Hazard was back among the goals for Real Madrid, as the Belgian scored his first Champions League goal in three years and only his third for Los Blancos. However, for the hosts, Arturo Vidal was given the marching orders only 32 minutes into the game for a needless argument with referee Anthony Taylor.
Brazillian teen sensation Rodrygo, who came on as a substitute, doubled Real Madrid's lead with his first touch on the night. However, the strike took a deflection off a defender and went down as an Inter Milan own goal.
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Before kick-off, a minute's silence was observed to pay tribute to the late Argentine football icon Diego Maradona.
On that note, let us take a look at five hits and flops from the game.
#5 Hit - Rodrygo (Real Madrid)
Rodrygo, the 19-year-old winger, came on for Mariano Diaz just before the hour mark and scored with his first touch on the night. Although it went to the back of the net via a deflection, Rodrygo deserved credit for his positional awareness.
After scoring the winner when the two sides last met, the Brazilian continued from where he left off, playing the perfect cameo of an attack-minded substitute. Coach Zinedine Zidane can certainly count on Rodrygo to step up on the left flank in place of Hazard or Mariano Diaz whenever the need arises.
#4 Flop - Achraf Hakimi (Inter Milan)
Against his former side, the Moroccan full-back Achraf Hakimi was the guilty party in Real Madrid's second goal, first leaving Rodrygo unmarked in the box and then bundling the substitute's resulting shot into his own net. Apart from that error, the 22-year old was kept quiet by the young Ferland Mendy for large parts of the game.
The red card to Vidal didn't help the full-back, who loves making forays into the opposition half. However, Hakimi has looked a pale shadow of what he was at Dortmund last season. Coach Antonio Conte needs to sort this issue out on priority, given that his job is already under the scanner.
#3 Hit - Eden Hazard (Real Madrid)
After returning from a long-term injury, Eden Hazard showed great guile and skill on the night, keeping the likes of Milan Skrinar and Achraf Hakimi on their toes throughout. The Belgian international won a penalty early in the game for Real Madrid and duly converted it too, a goal that would certainly do wonders to his confidence.
The 28-year old tested the Inter Milan goalkeeper again at the end of the first half and ended his eighty-odd minutes on the pitch with six dribbles, three shots and one key pass. Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane would certainly take that from the former Chelsea man, with Belgium coach Roberto Mancini keeping a keen eye on proceedings too.
#2 Flop - Arturo Vidal
Chilean midfielder Arturo Vidal, often known for his outbursts, was yet again in the centre of controversy, as he was shown two yellow cards in quick succession after arguing with the referee for a penalty in his side's favour. Having blown hot and cold so far in his time in Italy, the needless arguing with referee Anthony Taylor reduced the Nerazzurri to ten men, which proved to be a shot in the arm for Madrid.
With his midfield partner Nicolo Barella looking out of sorts after conceding a penalty early on in the game, Vidal's red card gave Real Madrid the upper hand in midfield, with the visitors enjoying 63% of possession. Vidal's sending off forced the two Inter Milan wing-backs Ashley Young and Achraf Hakimi to be conservative and help out in defending, which explained why Inter Milan had only one shot on the Real Madrid goal all game.
#1 Hit - Toni Kroos (Real Madrid)
The 30-year old seasoned campaigner Toni Kroos, who often operates under the radar in the midst of his star-studden teammates, was a standout performer for Real Madrid in Milan.
In the absence of Casemeiro, Toni Kroos sat in front of the back four and started almost every attack that Los Blancos mounted. He also made two key passes, one of which resulted in Rodrygo's goal (which was later deemed to be an own goal).
The German was not only impressive going forward, but he also showcased his all-round abilities, making timely tackles to keep Inter Milan's forwards at bay. However, the highlight of Toni Kroos' masterclass was his impact in midfield, where he had a staggering passing accuracy of almost 98%.
Real Madrid amassed just short of 800 passes on the night, courtesy Kroos and Luka Modric, in Milan. The two stalwarts showed fans all over that they're not just done yet, and Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane would be mighty pleased with this display from the duo.
