Real Madrid News
Inter Milan carry unwanted Real Madrid curse into Champions League clash at Bernabeu
Inter Milan will arrive at the Santiago Bernabeu for their 2026/27 UEFA Champions League opener carrying a record they will be desperate to change.
The Nerazzurri have not beaten Real Madrid in Europe this century, with their last victory over the Spanish giants coming almost three decades ago.
As such, their most recent victory came in 1998 at San Siro. Luigi Simoni’s Inter defeated Guus Hiddink’s Madrid 3-1 in the group stage, with Roberto Baggio scoring twice and Ivan Zamorano completing the victory.
Since then, the balance has been in Real Madrid’s favour. Inter have faced the Spanish side four times this century and failed to win any of those matches, whether in Milan or at the Bernabeu.
Inter’s long wait began after 1998
The scale of the drought is striking, as Inter have changed their crest twice since that last European victory over Madrid, yet another win against the 15-time European champions has remained elusive.
The meetings in the 2020/21 and 2021/22 Champions League campaigns offered Inter further chances, but neither produced the breakthrough they wanted.
This rivalry also has a much older chapter that gives Inter a very different memory of facing Real Madrid.
In 1964, Helenio Herrera’s legendary Inter defeated Real Madrid 3-1 in the European Cup final in Vienna.
That victory remains one of the defining moments of the Italian side’s era.
Real Madrid have their own answer from the 1960s
Inter’s European history against Madrid is not built entirely on disappointment.
The two clubs produced some of their most important encounters during the 1960s, when both were among the continent’s leading forces.
In fact, Inter are one of only three clubs, alongside Benfica and Liverpool, to have defeated Real Madrid in a European Cup final.
Madrid responded two years after the Vienna final. They won the first leg of the 1966 European Cup semi-final 1-0 before securing qualification with a draw at San Siro.
Real Madrid subsequently went on to win the competition by beating Partizan in the final.
Overall, considering only UEFA Champions League matches, Real Madrid hold the edge with seven wins, while Inter have won five, with only one draw between the two sides.
Real Madrid News
Here is what Real Madrid forward Vinicius said after being sent off against Villarreal: ‘What madness’
Vinicius Jr.’s sending-off is the topic of discussion, stealing all the limelight in Madrid, and understandably so, given how the foul was absolutely unnecessary.
As a result of his moment of madness, the player now stands to miss El Clasico and will likely be unavailable for three games for Los Blancos.
The player, however, has no one to blame for his situation but himself. For starters, the offense was blatantly red-card worthy, and he only made matters worse with his reaction and outburst.
What Vinicius Jr. said
The series of events that led to the player’s red card was extraordinary, with him scoring a goal, celebrating wildly, even with the manager, Jose Mourinho, who ran halfway across the field.
The referee ruled out the goal and showed the player the red card after VAR intervention, and DAZN via The Touchline now bring to light what Vinicius said after that to aggravate the punishment.
“Red? Red? Why are you doing this?,” the player reportedly shouted at the referee immediately after being sent off.
Midfield star Jude Bellingham then joined the scene with a strong statement against the referee as well, as he said,
“This isn’t football anymore.”
Heading towards the dressing room, the player then hit out at the match officials’ decision with anger, “What madness!.”
“Sh*t league!,” he added.
An added punishment
There are two elements of Vinicius’ sending off mentioned in the referee’s report that will dictate the punishment he faces – the offense itself and the player’s reaction to the red card.
Ideally, his suspension with a red card for hair-pulling would only be for two games, but the player’s violent conduct and words after being sent off aggravate his crime.
As a result of the same, he could well face an extended sanction that may extend up to four games – something that comes as a massive blow for Real Madrid.
His participation in the Clasico is ruled out at this point, but Mourinho and Co. will hope the player’s reaction is forgiven and the punishment is lightened. If he indeed misses four games, he will be out against Sevilla, Barcelona, Racing Club and Valencia.
