Real Madrid Host Inter Milan in Champions League Opener

Jose Mourinho will lead Real Madrid against his former club Inter Milan on Tuesday at the Santiago Bernabeu as both teams launch their Champions League league phase campaigns. The match marks Mourinho’s first European fixture in his second stint as Real Madrid manager, 16 years after he guided Inter Milan to a European title at the same venue.

Mourinho Seeks Stability After Domestic Setback

Real Madrid enter the fixture following their first defeat under Mourinho’s second tenure, a 1-0 loss to Real Betis in La Liga on Friday. Troy Parrott scored the winning goal eight minutes from time after Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois parried a header from Nelson Deossa. Real Madrid striker Kylian Mbappe missed a stoppage-time penalty that was saved by Betis goalkeeper Alvaro Valles, ending a streak of three consecutive league wins for Madrid.

Addressing reporters before the match, Mourinho dismissed comparisons to his first spell in charge between 2010 and 2013, stating, “it is two different spells.” Striker Kylian Mbappe also fielded questions regarding team unity, saying, “it’s the same as last year” when asked about the dressing room atmosphere. Mbappe noted that the squad needed to raise its standards, adding, “We all need to improve [in front of goal], and also with the ball.”

Inter Arrive Following Dramatic Comeback

Italian champions Inter Milan travel to Spain after securing a 3-2 victory over Napoli on Saturday. Inter overturned a two-goal second-half deficit, which opened with strikes from Napoli’s Matteo Politano and Rasmus Hojlund. Lautaro Martinez initiated Inter’s revival before substitute Marcus Thuram scored an 82nd-minute equalizer. Martinez then claimed the winning goal in the 91st minute during a goalmouth scramble.

According to the Opta supercomputer, Real Madrid hold a 56 percent chance of victory, while Inter’s win probability stands at 22.3 percent. The two clubs have met 19 times in European competition, with Real Madrid winning 10 matches, Inter winning seven, and two ending in draws. Inter’s last victory over Real Madrid occurred in 1998, when Roberto Baggio scored two goals for the Italian club.

Squad Availability and Injuries

Real Madrid face significant roster constraints due to disciplinary and medical issues. Eduardo Camavinga, Arda Guler, and Bernardo Silva are serving suspensions carried over from the previous European season. In addition, Eder Militao, Rodrygo, Ferland Mendy, and Raul Asencio have been ruled out through injury. Aurelien Tchouameni, Thiago Pitarch, Endrick, and Marc Cucurella are undergoing late fitness tests after returning to training.

For Inter Milan, left-back Federico Dimarco will miss the fixture because of a knee injury.

Background

Jose Mourinho led Inter Milan to an unprecedented treble in 2010, winning Serie A, the Coppa Italia, and the Champions League title against Bayern Munich at the Santiago Bernabeu before departing to take charge of Real Madrid. Real Madrid are the most successful club in Champions League history, having won the competition 15 times.