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Maybe they have peaked too soon. Maybe Carlo Ancelotti will pay later in the season for not rotating and playing his best XI every week. But one thing is certain: if Real Madrid do manage to keep up their current form then they will test the best in Europe once more as they go in search of a 14th European Cup.
They needed to beat Inter at home to top their group and they did so 2-0 with the same old faces bossing midfield and some towering new talents in attack and defence.
Yes Luka Modric, Toni Kroos and Casemiro were superb, but in attack once again Vinicius was magnificent and in defence Eder Militao was immense. The former was given a standing ovation when he trotted off with 10 minutes left, and Militao’s name was chanted by the Bernabeu – hero worship approach the type Sergio Ramos once enjoyed.
Carlo Ancelotti's Real Madrid side finished top of the Group D thanks to their victory over Inter
Madrid were again without the injured Karim Benzema but as on Saturday against Real Sociedad they had Vinicius and Luka Jovic determined to fill the void.
Vinicius almost scored inside the first three minutes and was furious he was not awarded a corner after his effort was cleared. He then tumbled over Denzel Dumfries’ leg in the area but was correctly not given the penalty he half-heartedly asked for.
Inter were on the front foot but there was more quantity than quality in their shooting. Ivan Perisic crossed for Edin Dzeko who was denied by Thibaut Courtois and Kroos then cleared from Marcelo Brozovic’ attempt.
Inter were shooting from all angles and Perisic even tried from corner with an effort that Jovic cleared at his near post.
Toni Kroos (above) scored Real Madrid's opening goal in the 17th minute of the game
Marco Asensio added the second to secure the victory and their place at the top of the table
But what they were missing was precision and no one has more of that than the man one Spanish commentator calls the surgeon – Toni Kroos. He scored with his weaker