Champions League: Trent Alexander-Arnold and Thibaut Courtois involved as Real Madrid face Inter

Real Madrid began their Champions League league-phase match with Trent Alexander-Arnold delivering dangerous set-pieces, while Inter threatened through Hakan Calhanoglu and Marcus Thuram.

Alexander-Arnold took a Real Madrid corner from the left and sent a cross into the penalty area, but Inter’s defence cleared the ball away from danger.

The England defender was involved again shortly afterwards when Real Madrid won a free-kick in the attacking central area after Jude Bellingham was fouled. Alexander-Arnold lifted another delivery into the box, only for Inter’s defence to head or clear it behind for a corner.

Inter then produced their first notable effort of the match. Calhanoglu collected the ball outside the Real Madrid penalty area and tried his luck from distance, but his shot went over the crossbar.

The Turkey international was also responsible for Inter’s next set-piece opportunity. He took a corner from the right, but the ball travelled across the area without finding a team-mate and passed everyone before causing no concern for Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.

Inter came closer when Thuram found an opportunity inside the penalty area. His effort appeared to be heading towards goal, but Courtois reacted superbly to make the save and divert the ball behind for another Inter corner.

Those incidents came at the beginning of the match, with both sides using set-pieces as an early route towards goal. Real Madrid looked to Alexander-Arnold’s delivery from dead-ball situations, while Inter relied on Calhanoglu’s technique from corners and open play.

The opening exchanges also featured the involvement of Bellingham, whose movement helped Real Madrid win the free-kick that led to Alexander-Arnold’s second cross. At the other end, Calhanoglu’s long-range attempt and Thuram’s shot inside the area provided Inter’s clearest attacking moments.

Courtois’s save from Thuram ensured that Inter’s best early chance did not result in a goal. The goalkeeper then watched as Calhanoglu’s corner failed to find an attacking player, leaving the score unchanged at that stage.

The match is part of the Champions League league phase.

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