Inter legend warns against Real Madrid: “If we only defend, we will have no chance”

Giuseppe Bergomi has delivered a clear warning to Inter ahead of their Champions League visit to Real Madrid. The former captain believes the Italian side must play with courage at the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu because a purely defensive approach would leave them with no chance of taking a result.

INTER MUST SHOW COURAGE

Speaking to “AS” before the opening league-phase fixture, Bergomi called for an aggressive performance from his former club.

“I hope Inter will be brave,” he said. “If we go out only to defend, we will have no chance. Thinking that you can dominate a match at the Bernabéu is unrealistic, but the objective must be to show courage and compete for control of midfield.”

The former defender acknowledged that Madrid will be missing important players in the centre of the pitch. He sees that area as Inter’s best opportunity to disrupt José Mourinho’s team, but warned that the visitors cannot simply retreat and wait around their own penalty area.

Bergomi wants Inter to be organised without becoming passive. At the Bernabéu, those are two very different things.

THE BERNABÉU STILL IMPRESSES BERGOMI

Bergomi faced Real Madrid ten times during his career. His first appearance at the Bernabéu came in 1981, when he was only 17 years old. Inter lost 2–0 that night to goals from Juanito and Santillana.

More than four decades later, the stadium still commands his respect. Bergomi described it as the most beautiful and impressive ground in the world, praising its history, atmosphere and transformation.

His assessment of Madrid’s relationship with the Champions League was equally emphatic. Bergomi believes the competition feels like home to the Spanish club and that no other team possesses the same refusal to surrender. He pointed to Madrid’s famous comebacks as the reason opponents can never feel safe at the Bernabéu, regardless of the score.

This is not praise from a Madrid ambassador. It comes from a man who spent his entire 20-season club career at Inter and made 755 appearances for the Nerazzurri.

VALVERDE REPRESENTS MADRIDISMO

Asked to identify Madrid’s leader on the pitch, Bergomi looked beyond the most obvious attacking names and selected Federico Valverde.

“I am in love with Valverde,” he said. “He is a complete box-to-box midfielder who defends, attacks, shoots well, performs consistently and always takes responsibility when things become difficult. He represents Real Madrid and madridismo.”

Bergomi also praised Kylian Mbappé, describing him as an elite forward whose attacking quality outweighs criticism of his defensive contribution. In the Italian’s view, Mbappé is currently the player who most deserves the next Ballon d’Or.

MOURINHO RETAINS BERGOMI’S RESPECT

Bergomi knows Mourinho well from the Portuguese coach’s successful spell at Inter. Mourinho led the club to a historic treble in 2010, and the former captain still holds him in high regard.

He praised Mourinho’s intelligence, tactical ability, credibility, adaptability and talent for building connections with players, supporters and the wider environment around a club.

This time, Mourinho will be directing Real Madrid against the team with which he achieved one of his greatest successes. Inter may try to exploit Madrid’s midfield absences, but Bergomi’s message is unmistakable: arriving at the Bernabéu only to defend would mean surrendering the initiative before the contest has properly begun.

Real Madrid host Inter on 8 September at 9:00 pm CEST in the opening match of their Champions League league-phase campaigns.