Bellingham rues missed chances despite Real Madrid win over Inter
Real Madrid began their latest Champions League campaign with a 2-1 win over Inter at the Santiago Bernabeu, but Jude Bellingham left the pitch frustrated by two chances he believed should have settled the contest earlier.
Madrid’s pressing delivered the result, but not complete control
The English midfielder played an influential role as Madrid overcame the Italian champions, with the hosts’ high press helping to produce both goals. Yet Bellingham felt the final score did not fully reflect the opportunities available to his side, particularly after Inter had forced periods of pressure during the match.
He accepted that Madrid had needed to defend through difficult spells against a strong opponent, while also pointing to the threat they created when moving the ball quickly in transition. He compared the attacking inefficiency to the previous weekend’s match against Betis, when Madrid also failed to take a number of openings.
Madrid conceded once, and Bellingham praised the defensive work done by the back line. Still, he recognised that elite opponents will eventually find spaces, making the missed chances more significant as the game entered its later stages.
Bellingham holds himself responsible for missed openings
Bellingham, 23, was especially disappointed with two clear opportunities against Inter goalkeeper Josep Martinez. Although he credited Martinez for making important saves, the midfielder insisted the responsibility remained with him to finish.
On one opening, he expected the ball to end in the net before Martinez reacted with an unexpected stop. The second chance was more complicated, with bodies obstructing his view and the ball arriving late, but Bellingham still believed his attempt was struck well enough to score before the goalkeeper recovered.
The more detailed explanation concerned a chance created by Brahim Diaz. Bellingham said Diaz lifted the ball into the area and that he hesitated over whether to head it. That moment of indecision affected his execution, even though he was still able to generate a shot before Martinez made another recovery save.
- Madrid faced sustained resistance from Inter, the reigning Italian champions, at the Bernabeu.
- The home side’s aggressive pressing contributed to both Madrid goals in a 2-1 victory.
- Bellingham was denied twice by Josep Martinez after finding promising scoring positions.
- The midfielder identified a Brahim Diaz delivery as one chance where hesitation cost him a cleaner finish.
- Madrid’s players took the result forward while acknowledging that a new coach and tactical structure require further work.
Mourinho’s return has set immediate standards
Bellingham also spoke positively about Jose Mourinho’s return to Madrid, saying the manager and his staff had quickly established demands both on and off the pitch. He believes the squad understand the values Mourinho wants his side to show and saw evidence of that approach in the pressing that led to the two goals against Inter.
For Bellingham, the early stage of the new regime carries both encouragement and responsibility. He described the performance as containing clear positives, but also areas that must improve as the group adapts to a new manager and a reshaped team.
Key takeaways
- Real Madrid opened their European campaign by beating Inter 2-1 at the Santiago Bernabeu.
- Bellingham felt Madrid could have won by a more comfortable margin after several missed chances.
- Josep Martinez made two notable saves from the England international.
- Bellingham refused to blame the goalkeeper, saying he must be more decisive in front of goal.
- Mourinho’s high-intensity pressing was central to Madrid’s two goals and has made an early impression on the squad.
