Real Madrid kick off Champions League campaign against Inter
By Neel Shelat
Real Madrid aiming to bounce back from first setback of 2026/27
After going trophyless for another season in what is an unacceptably long drought by their extremely lofty standards, Real Madrid changed coaches again this summer. Their decision to bring José Mourinho back certainly was an eyebrow-raiser, not least because his notoriously short fuse does not seem best suited for the sort of pressure Los Blancos currently find themselves under.
The Portuguese tactician will face the first big test of his second stint on Tuesday night. Not only is he taking on high-calibre opposition and one of his former teams, but his side will also be expected to deliver a performance that allays concerns which might have arisen after the loss to Real Betis in the last league game.
Favourable draw takes pressure off Inter
One of the main criticisms of the Champions League’s Swiss model format is that it takes away much of the jeopardy of the league phase for the big-hitters. For the clubs themselves, though, this is more of a positive as it enables them to rotate more freely and lowers the stakes in such blockbuster matchups.
Inter will surely be feeling grateful for the new format this year. By Opta Analyst’s calculations, they have the second-easiest fixture schedule this season. As a result, they are expected to finish in the top eight and directly advance to the Round of 16, skipping the play-off round stage where their previous campaign ended.
Even though this is not going to be a season-defining fixture for them, the Nerazzurri will hope to start on the right foot by ending a four-match losing streak against Real Madrid and potentially notch up a first win at the Bernabéu since 1967.
Team news
Real Madrid have quite a few absences to contend with. Three players will serve red card suspensions carried over from their last Champions League appearance of 2025/26. Namely, they are Eduardo Camavinga, Arda Güler and Bernardo Silva. The injury list includes Aurélien Tchouaméni, Éder Militão, Endrick, Raúl Asencio, Thiago Pitarch, Andriy Lunin, Ferland Mendy and Rodrygo, though a couple of them may be fit enough to make the squad.
The only doubt for Inter is Djed Spence, who is yet to make his debut for the club due to a calf issue.
Key players
As ever, attackers will be key for Real Madrid. Kylian Mbappé has four league goals already, while Vinícius Júnior has three goal involvements this season. Behind them, Federico Valverde is expected to have a huge role to play in a depleted midfield.
Lautaro Martínez was the hero of Inter’s dramatic comeback win over Napoli on the weekend. The Argentine striker was the subject of transfer interest from Barcelona at the end of the window, but ended up staying put and looks set to keep scoring goals. Federico Dimarco will be keen to feed him, while Alessandro Bastoni will have a dual role in getting his side’s attacks started besides stopping the opponent’s moves.
Prediction
Goals are to be expected at both ends given the attacking quality on show, so a score draw seems likely.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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