Analysis: How Real Madrid’s Press Looked Against Inter Milan
Valverde leads Madrid in pressures, Mbappé & Vinicius record half of defensive actions last season in first CL match
Real Madrid's starting 11 registered 153 pressures, with 18 being counterpressures, in their UEFA Champions League match against Inter Milan on Tuesday evening. Although Madrid had only 36% possession during the match, the detailed pressure statistics paint a more compelling narrative. The English full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold was the first to score for Madrid after a high press that led to an errant pass from Inter Milan's Curtis Jones.
Valverde, Real Madrid's central midfielder, led the team with 29 pressures, accounting for 12 in the defensive third. The Englishman Jude Bellingham was next on the list with 26 pressures, leading the team with 13 in the middle third. Bellingham's effort in the 20th minute dispossessed Nicola Barella, allowing Vinicius to dribble into the Inter box.
The forward line of Madrid, often criticized for its lack of pressing, showed increased defensive effort in this match, with Vinicius registering six ball recoveries in the defensive third and two tackles, contributing to half of Madrid's six defensive actions last season.
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