Real Madrid face Inter Milan in Mourinho’s latest Champions League test

Jose Mourinho’s bid to lead Real Madrid to a record-extending 16th European Cup begins on Tuesday, when Inter Milan visit the Bernabeu for the opening round of the Champions League league phase. The match is also a reunion with the club Mourinho guided to glory in 2010.

Neither side met expectations in the 2025-26 competition. Real Madrid were beaten by Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals, while Inter suffered a surprise play-off elimination against Bodø/Glimt.

Mourinho, whose reputation is deeply connected with the Champions League, will hope to produce another defining moment. It would need to match either Inter’s historic triumph under him in 2010 or the extraordinary goal scored by goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin for Benfica against his current club only a few months ago.

The three suggested bets for the match are:

– Both teams to score and fewer than 4.5 goals – 2.32 – Kylian Mbappe to score – 1.72 – Jude Bellingham to record a goal or assist – 2.30

Mourinho’s European campaign last season ultimately ended against Real Madrid in the Champions League last-16 play-offs. However, Real are still waiting for their 16th continental crown and have been knocked out in the quarter-finals in each of the past two seasons.

Having surrendered their status as Europe’s leading side to Paris Saint-Germain, the Spanish giants face a demanding route through the league phase. Arsenal, the RB Leipzig, Roma and Shakhtar Donetsk are also among their opponents, with the Shakhtar match being played at Stamford Bridge, Mourinho’s former home.

Real’s record in opening Champions League matches nevertheless remains formidable. They have won 17 of their past 19 first-day fixtures, including each of the last five. Their most recent defeat on matchday one came in a 3-2 loss to Shakhtar in 2020.

Mourinho’s team had started their La Liga campaign with three successive victories over Espanyol, Real Sociedad and Malaga. But weaknesses were exposed in Friday’s 1-0 defeat by Real Betis. Mbappe missed a penalty in a display described as “egoiste” by the club’s leading scorer.

Inter are the closer of the two clubs to another European title, but they have still failed to repeat their 2010 success. The Nerazzurri have lost two finals in the last four editions of the competition.

Their 1-0 defeat by Manchester City in 2023 was a result they could accept with pride. What followed was far more damaging: a 5-0 loss to Paris Saint-Germain in 2025 and last season’s unexpected exit to Bodø/Glimt.

Cristian Chivu was already in charge when Inter lost 5-2 on aggregate to the Norwegian side. Domestically, however, his players responded strongly by winning the Serie A and Coppa Italia double for the first time since Mourinho’s famous 2009-10 campaign.

Inter have made a perfect start to the defence of their league title, taking nine points from matches against Monza, Cagliari and Napoli. They needed a late Lautaro Martinez winner to complete a dramatic 3-2 comeback against Napoli.

The Italian side are also seeking their first victory over Real Madrid this century. They have lost their past four meetings, scoring in none of the last three, since a 3-1 win in late 1998.

Real’s recent record in all competitions is three wins followed by a defeat, while Inter have won each of their past three matches.

Real will be without three suspended players because of punishments carried over from last season: Eduardo Camavinga, Arda Guler and Bernardo Silva. Their midfield could be further weakened by Aurelien Tchouameni, who is a serious doubt because of a muscle problem. His absence could lead to Bellingham moving deeper to form a double pivot alongside Federico Valverde.

Eder Militao and Ferland Mendy are out with hamstring injuries, while Rodrygo has a knee problem and Thiago Pitarch is sidelined with a knee injury. Raul Asencio, who has a tibia issue, Endrick, who has a muscular problem, and Marc Cucurella, who has a calf injury, will all be assessed.

Inter are close to full strength, with the exception of new signing Djed Spence, who is still rebuilding his fitness after injury.

Substitutes played a decisive part in the victory over Napoli, with Curtis Jones receiving praise from the Italian media. Chivu is expected to reward the former Liverpool player with a starting place at the expense of Petar Sucic.

Marcus Thuram could also start after scoring Inter’s equaliser against Napoli, potentially replacing Pio Esposito. Hakan Calhanoglu is expected to challenge Piotr Zielinski for the midfield role.

Probable Real Madrid team: Courtois; Dumfries, Konate, Huijsen, Cucurella; Bellingham, Valverde; Diomande, Diaz, Vinicius Jr; Mbappe.

Probable Inter Milan team: Martinez; Bastoni, Bisseck, Akanji; Diouf, Barella, Jones, Calhanoglu, Dimarco; Martinez, Thuram.

Inter have failed to win any of their last 13 away matches against Spanish opponents. Their most recent success came against Valencia in the 2004-05 group stage.

That record may encourage Real, although Inter could see an opportunity in a weakened Madrid midfield. The Nerazzurri’s defence is no longer as secure as it once was, however, and Real’s powerful attack should be capable of responding.

The Bernabeu could therefore witness an open contest, with a high-scoring draw a possible outcome.