Analysis: How Real Madrid’s Press Looked Against Inter Milan

Real Madrid‘s starting 11 realized 153 pressures, including 18 counterpressures (pressures shortly after losing possession) compared to 103 pressures by Inter Milan starters on Tuesday evening. While those figures in and of itself are not surprising given that Madrid had only 36% of the possession during the match, a deeper dive into those numbers tells a much more compelling story.

Pressures (including counterpressures) by Real Madrid starting 11 against Inter Milan
(Graphic provided by Mohammad Adnan)

Real Madrid’s first goal was the result of a high press as Trent Alexander-Arnold, playing in a double pivot for the first time with the club, came up field to mark former teammate Curtis Jones, leading to an errant pass from Jones that Brahim Díaz collected before finding Kylian Mbappé for Madrid’s opening goal in the 14th minute. It was a an opportune moment for Alexander-Arnold to register his only pressure in the final third. Madrid’s second goal was also the result of a high press as Fede Valverde’s pressure on Inter goalkeeper Josep Martínez in the 23rd minute led directly to Madrid’s second goal. As demonstrated in the graphic above, it was one of 12 pressures Madrid realized inside Inter’s penalty area.

Valverde led Madrid with 29 pressures, including a team high 12 in the defensive third of the pitch. That is a stark contrast to last season when Valverde averaged just over 10 pressures per 90 minutes in La Liga, only slightly more than Kylian Mbappé in that defensive metric.

Jude Bellingham was second on the team with 26 pressures against Inter, leading the team with 13 in the middle third of the pitch. Bellingham’s 11.2 kilometers also led the team. One of Bellingham’s pressures in the 20th minute led to a tackle of Nicola Barella, dispossessing the Italian midfielder of the ball and allowing Vinicius to dribble into the Inter box, only a last second tackle from Benjamin Pavard preventing the Brazilian from getting off a shot. The Englishman was third on the team last season in pressures in league play, only behind Vinicius and Arda Güler, and second in pressures per 90 minutes.

Real Madrid pressures (including counterpressures) against Inter Milan by where they occurred on the pitch

Madrid’s forward line, which has been heavily criticized for its lack of pressing and overall defensive effort, demonstrated a much more eager approach to contribute defensively on Tuesday evening. Much has been written about Vinicius Jr’s nine ball recoveries in the match, the most by a Madrid forward in a Champions League match since Gonzalo Higuaín in 2008. Six of the nine recoveries were on Madrid’s half of the field, including five in the defensive third. The Brazilian was third on the team with 21 pressures against Inter, leading Madrid with 11 pressures in the final third while adding eight pressures in the defensive third — further testament of his willingness to track back to defend. Vinicius also added two tackles and an interception. According to Opta data, those three defensive actions represent half of the Brazilian’s six defensive actions in 14 Champions League matches last season.

One of Madrid’s nine big chances came right before halftime and was initiated by a Kylian Mbappé interception at the halfway line, leading to the Frenchman’s shot, Bellingham unable to find the back of the net on the ensuing rebound thanks to a fine save from Martínez. Mbappé also had a clearance inside Madrid’s box. According to Opta data, those two defensive actions are already half of the Frenchman’s four defensive actions last season in 11 Champions League matches.

While Brahim’s three big chances created, including 1 assist, will get most of the headlines, Mourinho will be equally pleased with his 19 pressures in 79 minutes, including 10 pressures in the middle third of the field. Brahim’s ability to track back likely played a big part in Mourinho’s decision to include him in the starting 11.