Real Madrid beat Inter as Dimarco absence and kit talk dominate build-up

Simone Inzaghi's side arrived at Xabi Alonso's Real Madrid with Lautaro Martínez, Marcus Thuram and Curtis Jones all named in the attacking line-up, according to Football Italia's line-ups coverage. That's a front three built for pace and directness against a Madrid backline playing at home.

The bigger blow was at left back. Dimarco, Inzaghi's usual outlet down the left and a key piece of Inter's wing-back rotation, was ruled out through injury. Losing him changes the shape of how Inter build from deep: Dimarco's overlapping runs and crossing have been central to Inzaghi's system for years, and his absence forced a rethink on that side of the pitch against a Madrid team that likes to press high down the flanks.

The kit that had everyone talking

Before kickoff, attention had already drifted away from the teamsheet. Football Italia ran a separate explainer on why Inter turned out in what it called an unusual jersey for the fixture, a detail that got picked up and passed around well before full time.

Lautaro leads the line, Madrid finish it

Lautaro Martínez remained the focal point of whatever Inter tried to do in behind Madrid's centre-backs, pairing with Thuram's movement and Jones's ball progression to give Inter three different ways to hurt Alonso's defence. It wasn't enough on the night: Real Madrid closed it out 2-1, and Lautaro spoke on the result afterwards in comments carried by Football Italia.

Inzaghi will have to find a way to cover for Dimarco again before Inter's next continental fixture, and the kit that dominated the pre-match chatter will fade fast next to a result that leaves Madrid with the points.