Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham admits Inter Milan exposed defensive weaknesses despite Champions League win

Jude Bellingham admitted Real Madrid were made to suffer by Inter Milan despite their 2-1 victory in both teams’ opening Champions League match on Tuesday evening.

The England midfielder said the Italian champions had caused Real Madrid problems during the game, although the hosts also created opportunities to make the scoreline more comfortable.

“We suffered at times against a very strong team,” Bellingham said after the match. “They are deservedly the champions of Italy, and there were moments when we made them suffer, especially on the counter-attack, when we were moving the ball well.”

Bellingham was speaking in comments published by Real Madrid’s official website. He said the team’s difficulty in converting chances had also been evident in their previous match against Real Betis at the weekend.

“Something similar happened against Real Betis at the end of last week, when we failed to take our chances,” he added.

Real Madrid could have avoided a tense finish had they been more clinical, with Bellingham among those to miss opportunities.

“We could have finished the game with a more comfortable result,” he said. “We had chances, myself included, but in the Champions League there have to be difficult moments.”

The 22-year-old also acknowledged that Real Madrid’s opponents continue to find openings in their defence, even though the team restricted Inter Milan to one goal.

“We only conceded one goal, and the defenders were outstanding, but big teams find gaps in our defence,” Bellingham said. “Courtois was brilliant. Not everything is bad, but there is still room for improvement. The most important thing is the three points.”

Bellingham had two notable opportunities to score but was denied on both occasions by Inter’s goalkeeper. He described his frustration at failing to add to Real Madrid’s advantage.

“I thought I was going to score,” he said. “The first time, the goalkeeper suddenly appeared. The ball came to me and I said to myself: ‘It’s a goal.’ But he suddenly kept it out.

“The second time, I saw the ball a little late. There were players in the middle, so I tried to control it and struck it well. But once again, the goalkeeper made a brilliant save.”

The missed chances left Bellingham frustrated because a goal would have made the closing stages easier for Real Madrid.

“It is frustrating, because it would have made things easier for us if I had scored, but that is part of the game,” he said. “On another day, those shots will go into the net.”

Real Madrid ultimately held on for the victory and secured three points from their opening Champions League fixture, despite the defensive concerns and the opportunities they failed to convert.