Real Madrid vs. Inter Milan: Things Learned from International Champions Cup

The International Champions Cup continued in China on Monday as Real Madrid beat Inter Milan 3-0 in Guangzhou.

Jese Rodriguez scored the first goal after a nice piece of control inside the box, drilling home at the near post, before Raphael Varane swept home from close range in the second half. James Rodriguez wrapped things up with a perfect late free-kick and the scoreline could have been even wider if not for some excellent goalkeeping from Samir Handanovic throughout.

Here are a few lessons and pointers that both managers and fans of the two clubs can take from the 90 minutes of pre-season action.

Kovacic to Remain at the Base for Mancini

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Inter's midfield has plenty of depth and options for Roberto Mancini to play with, but it very much looks at present as though his first-choice quartet will be similar to that which started against Real.

Mateo Kovacic remains the choice to sit at the base, deep to play in space and dictate the flow of Inter's play, while also offering a surprisingly good amount of defensive work too. He made a number of challenges to break up play and stop Real Madrid counter-attacks, while also using his control and speed on the ball to drive forward past challenges himself from time to time.

New signing Geoffrey Kondogbia is sure to take one of the spots ahead of Kovacic, but there still looks there's time for the other slot to be nailed down, with Hernanes playing further forward.

Denis Cheryshev Can Impact and Remain a Good Bench Option for Benitez

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Once again Denis Cheryshev was the Real Madrid substitute who made the biggest impact.

The Russian was excellent last season with Villarreal and looks to stake a claim for game time now he's back at Real Madrid. Of course, with world-class stars such as Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo to battle against, he'll be playing a rotational or impact-sub role, but such is the price of playing for the world's biggest club an with the top players.

If he accepts that, he can absolutely do well for the team off the bench. He offers width and blinding pace down the left, as well as a goal threat, and he will give Benitez the chance to maintain shape even when Ronaldo is asked to operate more centrally.

Real need a deeper squad this year than they had available (and than Carlo Ancelotti opted to use) last season and Cheryshev is one of those who can improve the side in that respect.

Bale Central to Rafa's Plans?

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Two games in a row now, Gareth Bale has been Rafa Benitez's choice to operate behind the striker in a 4-2-3-1.

Cristiano Ronaldo is given licence to float and attack infield off the left, and Jese led the line, but an amount of rotation goes on in Real's attack anyway. Bale looks to capitalise on that with his pace and bursting runs from deep to attack inside the penalty area.

If he starts competitive action in that role, it's not difficult to imagine he'll be a hugely regular scorer, getting onto cut-backs and driving at opposition defences in a way which is difficult to stop. It does create questions over the use of James Rodriguez or Isco, one of whom will have to try and operate from the right-hand side, but getting the most out of Bale would be a big step forward for Benitez.

Icardi and Jovetic, Potentially Perfect

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Inter Milan were clearly inferior as a whole to their opposition, but in Mauro Icardi they have a striker who still looked dangerous and gave Real's back line a few problems even in the face of a lack of service.

The impending arrival of Stevan Jovetic could go a long way in helping bridge the gap between a talented midfield on the ball and a discord in creating chances in attack. The Montenegrin loves to drop deep, work in the channels and link play as well as being a creative force himself moving toward the box.

Jovetic doesn't have the pace of Rodrigo Palacio, but the Argentinian wasn't exactly prolific or consistent for Inter last term anyway. The mix of traits and strengths Jovetic and Icardi have could take Mancini's team on significantly in the final third, which they certainly need to improve if they are to challenge for a Champions League finish in Serie A.

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