hello from one of the great venues in world football the estadio santiago bernabeu
in madrid i'm derek ray ready here in the commentary position
and alongside me is the former arsenal west ham and coventry midfielder stuart robson
and we've got so much to look forward to this is where it all begins in europe's premier club
competition the uefa champions league the group stage match day one action it's real madrid up
against inter well i'm looking forward to this one derek it's so important that you
get off to a good start so let's hope both sides go for the win here and we get an exciting match
is the keeper of choice david alaba plays with carvajal in the full back
positions look at modric plays with casimiro in the center of the pitch
and the main goal scoring threat provided today by kareem benzema
and a look at the inter team samir handanovich begins in goal stephan the fry plays with milan
striniard in central defence starts alongside marcelo brozovich in the center of midfield
and it's two strikers up front who look to provide the goal scoring threats
it's the opening match day champions league group stage match day one underway
good looking sequence but really sticking to the task defensively
mateo damian
definitely look as though they want to make the smoke count
and what a start they made
well as you can see he's so alive to the rebound
he's first to react and then he gets his reward it's a good goal
get the ball rolling again it's gonna be
interesting to see whether or not that girl stings them into action
martinez
the ball with martinez and a long way out
and just missing the target whether at least making chances now they need to be more clinical
what can real do from this position and the cross is very much on no-nonsense clearance
comes up with it
modric
and now rodrigo
tony course
and he takes it on and the keeper stretching to deny him
delivering it well it's all going so swimmingly for them here another goal
and now it's a matter of avoiding any silly mistakes
well let's look at this again it's a decent delivery into the box
which makes it a fairly simple finish in the end it's a really good goal
plenty of running room in the wide position
but ultimately upper cul-de-sac well the counter chance looks very real
enter with the ball once more
martinez
gecko now brozovich
martinez
rodrigo
and there's the feed into the box
so on the cusp of half time and real madrid well on top stuart interested as always to get your
take well they're dominating this first half their approach play their cleverness around the box and
the finishing have been excellent they just need to continue this going into the second period
far from a good pass
well the conditions look pretty good for the counter attack
martinez
van pereschich
gecko and it was straight up the keeper but technically good goalkeeping
a bad pass it was
and a penalty awarded spot kick coming up
well some might say he's been fortunate to avoid being shown the card well i like that from the
referee just because it's a penalty doesn't mean it's a yellow card i think he's got it right
this to get back into it he couldn't worry the keeper with that effort
rodrigo
great strong tackle throw in forthcoming
casimiro
oh how did he get there and danovich were the same
playing it in any goalkeeper would accept corner kick deliveries like that every day
well adding up all the stoppages we will have two extra minutes can they hit on the break
oh really commanding goalkeeping and that is that half time here on the spanish capital
well luka modric so often receives positive reviews for his work out there on the pitch
really stewart he's a joy to watch yeah he's certainly carved out plenty of chances he's
tested the keeper on numerous occasions and he got his reward with that goal brilliant stuff from him
and so the second half of this champions league group stage match day one contest commences
martinez
gecko
barela has it bros
tremendous intuition to win it back opportunity for them to get back into the game
well the keeper has outdone himself wonderful save
moving the ball forward with purpose fed over towards the back post
making sure nothing untoward happened
martinez gecko the ball with martinez
can they prise them open
now martinez so a corner kick it'll be following the deflection
and they will make the change now
there's still danger here well they can bring it out now
well what a brilliant save that was i can't believe he's kept that one out
well here it is again and the pace in which they break forward is devastating
it's so hard to defend against and then what a strike that's hit with such ferocity
certainly no stopping that that's a great goal
so on they go again and every indication that real
now brosovich martinez gecko
beautifully weighs a ball
he might be on to something excellent say from tebow courtois
gecko oh incredible say and he snuffed out any sign of danger
well opting for the short corner
defensive roadblock in the way of that cross
carrying benzema
he's going forward with authority here benzema but really sticking to the task defensively this might
be ideal for the counter and they'll regard that as a very disappointing end to the move
and benzema in the middle excellent assessment of the situation at the back
an example of how to press good pressure high up the pitch
now what the cross workout for them well the ball brought down onto no real pressure
but it did look dangerous for a moment but the keeper has it now
screenia
it was intended for gecko well in fact a good but straightforward claim by the keeper
his pass gobbled up
martinez dan mian now gecko
and the keeper flings himself at the ball
so a personnel change then
who's gonna get on the end of it and the danger clear
carvakhal
is with vinicius junior carrying benzema
and the timing was perfect ball won
martinez well enter couldn't hang on to it
vinicius junior
and now rodrigo so full time it is and the morale boosting three points on the board
to begin the european campaign yeah it's so vital to get off to a quick start in these group stages
they'll be happy with the three points but now they have to back it up in the next game
six points and you're halfway there one man who's been terrific up to this point karen benzema
well i thought he was excellent not only did he score a good goal but his
general play was outstanding he certainly played a major part in their win here today