Real Madrid and Inter had their shaky moments during this season’s Champions League campaign, but both teams secured a top-two finish in their Group D above Shakhtar Donetsk and Sheriff – with a game to spare. Now they can play in full swing and be relaxed for their tonight’s encounter at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu.Pep takes his pre-school quintet to Champions League test in GermanyInter’s defence will have a difficult task against in-form Vinicius Junior and the other Madrid stars. However, Karim Benzema will not lead the attack for the Spanish club after sustaining a hamstring injury during his team’s win over Real Sociedad at the weekend.🗣️ Perisic, Inter player: 😅 “In the dressing room we talk about how to stop Vinicius, he is in great shape” pic.twitter.com/2otMKbFRab— Real Madrid Info ³⁴ (@RMadridInfo) December 6, 2021 The Nerazzurri dominated the home leg three months ago only to fall to a late goal after missing chance after chance to score. This time, Simone Inzaghi’s team would have to be more efficient to grab that top spot.”It’s an important game for us. Both sides are already in the last 16 but we want to produce a top display. We turned in a decent performance when we met earlier in the season but it wasn’t enough. We’ll have to do something extra. Inter have only won once in Madrid. There will be difficult moments when we’ll have to dig in, but we’ve come here to play with character and want to do well.”Inter have only won six of their last 21 matches in this competition, though, and have been beaten in their last five away fixtures in Spain, including a 3-2 loss when they visited Bernabeu in the group stage of last season’s Champions League.🤩 𝐈𝐓’𝐒 𝐌𝐀𝐓𝐂𝐇𝐃𝐀𝐘!👉 @RealMadrid vs @Inter⏰ 21:00 CET#UCL pic.twitter.com/HGaZwFNlST— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) December 7, 2021 Real Madrid have actually finished second in their group three times in the last five campaigns, but they were first in their section last term and ultimately reached the semi-finals before losing to eventual winners Chelsea. At the start of the season, they were not considered as genuine contenders to win the crown, but the team’s recent form has been incredible, and they cannot be written off due to their stunning history in the competition, having lifted the European Cup a record 13 times. Tonight’s game will be a gauge for both sets of fans, neutrals and reporters. But the real deal will only come after the knockout stage begins in February 2022. Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti is no stranger to UCL glory.”We are showing quality and commitment. Can we win the Champions League? The idea is to prepare well for each game, and not think about that. We want to beat a strong Inter team. The goal is to reach the end of this competition, which is very difficult. It’s a duty, since this is the most successful club in Europe.”Milan and Liverpool meeting in a crucial Champions League game… Sounds familiar?There will be 22 quality players on the pitch at one of the most iconic stadiums in one of the world’s most prestigious competitions. If you think there’s nothing to play for – then think again!UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUEGroup stage – matchday 6Tuesday20.45: (1.40) PSG (5.30) Club Brugge (8.00)20.45: (4.00) RB Leipzig (3.80) Man.City (1.95)23.00: (2.30) Real Madrid (3.50) Inter (3.25)23.00: (1.57) Shakhtar (4.20) Sheriff Tiraspol (6.50)23.00: (2.15) Milan (3.60) Liverpool (3.50)23.00: (2.75) Porto (3.15) Atl.Madrid (2.85)23.00: (1.25) Dortmund (7.00) Besiktas (12.0)23.00: (1.40) Ajax (5.30) Sporting (8.00)Wednesday20.45: (6.50) Zenit (4.20) Chelsea (1.57)20.45: (1.18) Juventus (8.00) Malmo (19.0)23.00: (1.80) Atalanta (3.70) Villareal (5.00)23.00: (1.70) Bayern (4.10) Barcelona (5.10)23.00: (1.40) Man.Utd. (5.30) Young Boys (8.00)23.00: (1.30) Benfica (5.80) Dynamo Kyiv (12.0)23.00: (2.45) Wolfsburg (3.35) Lille (3.10)23.00: (3.05) Salzburg (3.35) Sevilla (2.50)***odds are subject to change
