Izuchukwu Okosi
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Real Madrid defeated Inter Milan 2-0 Tuesday night at the Santiago Bernabeu to confirm their leadership of Group D in the UEFA Champions League with goals from veteran Toni Kroos and Marco Asensio.
First place of Group D was at stake – Madrid were two points clear of the Italians heading into the final game of the group phase. Both had already guaranteed their place in the last 16, but if Internazionale had won they’d have snuck into first place.
Thirteen times European champions Madrid took the lead in the 17th minute through Kroos who struck from just outside the box with his left foot to beat the opposing goalkeeper at the far post. Nicolo Barella then saw red for Internazionale in the 64th minute after a flashpoint with Diogo Militao before Marco Asensio doubled Madrid’s lead and sealed the deal in the 79t with a lovely curler.
“We’re doing well,” Carlo Ancelotti said post-match in comments carried by Marca.
“We’re at a high level right now and we’re playing with greater defensive solidity. Sometimes we don’t press so high but we’re fine, we’re comfortable. We don’t want to defend an open game. Sometimes that isn’t so aesthetic, but we’re doing very well.
“We have the quality to win La Liga and the quality to compete in the Champions League.
“There are no teams with the quality to win the Champions League, only to compete. There are more intense teams, others with more quality. We’re not intense in the defensive aspect, we don’t like defending an open game. But we have a lot of quality, a lot of experience and a lot of commitment.”
Madrid are top of La Liga, eight points clear of second-placed Sevilla and looking to all intents and purposes like the league title belongs to them already. Internazionale are locked in a tight four-way title race also involving Milan, Napoli and Atalanta.
They’re currently second in Serie A, a point behind Milan.
Izuchukwu Okosi is a Nigerian sports and entertainment journalist with two decades of experience in the media industry having begun his media journey in 2002 as an intern at Mundial Sports International (MSI) and Africa Independent Television (AIT), owners of Daar Communications Plc.
