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Real Madrid's first league phase fixture of the 2026–27 Champions League sees them take on José Mourinho's beloved Inter Milan, the club he famously led to glory in this very competition back in 2010.
Mourinho made his move to the Spanish capital following Inter's 2–0 triumph over Bayern Munich, and has now returned to Los Blancos with ambitions of steering the club toward a record-breaking 16th European title.
Last lifting the trophy in 2024, Madrid have since bowed out at the quarterfinal stage to Arsenal and Bayern Munich in consecutive seasons. Their trademark ability to grind out results despite clear structural weaknesses ultimately let them down, and whether Mourinho — a two-time Champions League winner widely considered to be well past his prime — is the right appointment to restore that balance remains a hotly contested question.
The returning Madrid manager is dealing with a lengthy injury list ahead of Tuesday's clash with the Nerazzurri, and here is the starting eleven he could field for the occasion.
Real Madrid Predicted Lineup vs. Inter Milan
GK: Thibaut Courtois—Courtois is yet to keep a clean sheet this season, and the Belgian was beaten late on by Irishman Troy Parrott in what proved to be the first loss of Mourinho's second spell in charge.
RB: Denzel Dumfries—It is reported that Dumfries will be selected at right back against his former employers. Madrid activated the Dutchman's release clause in his Inter Milan deal at the beginning of the summer window.
CB: Ibrahima Konaté—Mourinho has yet to settle on his preferred center back pairing, particularly with Éder Militão on the sidelines. Nevertheless, free agent signing Konaté appears to be ahead of Antonio Rüdiger in the pecking order.
CB: Dean Huijsen—There has been speculation that Huijsen could be deployed in midfield by Mourinho given the club's pressing need, but the Madrid boss seems likely to explore other solutions instead.
LB: Marc Cucurella—Cucurella has had a sluggish beginning to life at Madrid, and he is among several players feeling the effects of a curtailed preseason. The left back will need time to find his best form.
CM: Federico Valverde—With Bernardo Silva, Eduardo Camavinga, and Arda Güler all suspended, and both Aurélien Tchouaméni and Thiago Pitarch expected to miss out through injury, the key question is who will line up alongside Valverde on Tuesday.
CM: Jude Bellingham—Mourinho is keen to see Bellingham recapture his 2023–24 brilliance in the capital, ideally deploying him as close to the striker as possible. On this occasion, however, the Englishman will likely be required to partner Federico Valverde in central midfield.
RW: Yan Diomande—The most expensive African player in football history looks set to make his first competitive start for Real Madrid.
AM: Brahim Díaz—The midfield overhaul could present an opportunity for Díaz to earn a starting berth. The nimble playmaker has delivered on the big stage before and caught the eye during preseason.
LW: Vinícius Júnior—Vinícius Jr played a significant role in helping Madrid secure a result against Real Betis in what has been a promising start to his campaign. The Brazilian will be looking to build a strong understanding with fullback Cucurella as the season unfolds.
ST: Kylian Mbappé—The Frenchman struck a bold tone ahead of the match, asserting that he is worthy of claiming his first Ballon d'Or this autumn. Mbappé endured a deeply frustrating evening in Seville on Friday, but could etch his name into Champions League history as the competition's fifth all-time top scorer on Tuesday night.