One dribble too many, in the worst possible place. Josep Martinez takes a huge risk and pays dearly for it: at the Bernabeu, against Real Madrid, the Inter goalkeeper tries to come out with the ball at his feet instead of clearing it and opens the door for Valverde‘s second goal. A presumptuous mistake that freezes the Nerazzurri just as Chivu‘s team was playing with personality and putting the hosts in trouble.
Inter started very strong, but after just over twenty minutes they find themselves two goals down. The first comes from a lapse in the defense, the second is entirely attributable to Martinez. Pavard passes him the ball with a horizontal pass, the Spanish goalkeeper sees Valverde coming and, instead of clearing, decides to attempt the slalom. The Uruguayan does not bite, takes the ball away from him and scores.
A real blow, also for the way it happened. Martinez bites his shirt, stays incredulous for a few seconds and then tries to shake his teammates. The evening, however, will inevitably be marked by that play. Yet the goalkeeper will have the chance to redeem himself later, with several important interventions, including the one that denies Bellingham a goal that seemed already done.
In the commentary Fabio Caressa does not hide his astonishment at the choice of the Nerazzurri number one. The Sky commentator immediately highlights the carelessness committed in a stadium like the Santiago Bernabeu: “There it is. Martinez’s blunder and Valverde makes it 2-0. Inter has scored two goals against themselves. Two spectacular gifts. Well, but you are at the Santiago Bernabeu, don’t do the dribble, have patience. But the goalkeeper’s dribble at the Santiago Bernabeu…”. The point is exactly this: in a Champions League match against Real Madrid, every detail can become decisive. Martinez had the chance to clear the ball without taking risks, but he chose the more complicated play. Valverde read everything in advance and punished him.
Caressa then adds more, also focusing on the technical handling of the ball: “But then really bad. Come on, even a first touch if you don’t trust yourself. He controls it badly and then does an unwatchable thing, unwatchable Martinez.” For Inter’s goalkeeper, in his second Champions appearance and first as a Nerazzurri in the competition, a debut destined to remain in memory. Certainly not for the reason he would have wanted.
Pepo #Martinez’s mistake on Real Madrid’s second goal.#Inter #RealMadrid pic.twitter.com/MEI4cGiFrL
— Luca Cavarretta (@LucaCavarr54294) September 8, 2026
