Real Madrid battle Inter for top spot in final UCL group game

Real Madrid will hope to secure a top spot finish in Group D when they face Italian champions Inter Milan on Tuesday at the Santiago Bernabeu in the final group game in the UEFA Champions League.

Both teams met in the group opener in Milan in September, and it was Carlo Ancelotti’s side who emerged victorious with a 1-0 win courtesy of a late Rodrygo strike.

However, Real Madrid lost the next game against Sheriff Tiraspol with a 2-1 scoreline in a shocking game at the Spanish capital. Since then, the Los Blancos have gone on to win all other three matches, beating Shakthar Donetsk over two legs while taking revenge on Sheriff Tiraspol in the second leg in Moldova with a 3-0 scoreline.

However, Inter Milan have won three of their five group stage games so far with the loss to Real Madrid and a draw with Shakhtar Donetsk the two times they failed to win.

Meanwhile, a point will see Real Madrid through as group winners, but Inter Milan needs a win to overcome the Los Blancos. Carlo Ancelotti’s side are sweating over the knock that striker Karim Benzema suffered at the weekend in the 2-0 win against Real Sociedad.

“The Benzema thing does not seem serious at all, but I do not think it will be available for Tuesday,” Ancelotti told reporters.

“Karim has had a problem, it bothered him a little and it didn’t I think [he will be there] for Tuesday, but maybe for Sunday, yes,” Ancelotti said.

Meanwhile, Real’s city rivals Atletico Madrid must beat Porto in Portugal to move into the next stage of the UEFA Champions League. Diego Simeone’s side are bottom of the table with four points.

Atletico Madrid are behind AC Milan, who also has four points, while Porto has five points. Liverpool are already through to the next round of the competition.

Written by: Daniel Ademiju Idowu