Real Madrid Clash With Inter Milan in Champions League Showdown: Key Predictions, Tactics, and Expected Lineups

Real Madrid's 2026–27 Champions League journey begins on Tuesday evening when they host reigning Serie A champions Inter Milan.

José Mourinho famously guided Inter to Champions League triumph at Madrid's home ground, the Santiago Bernabéu, back in 2010. Mourinho subsequently joined Los Blancos and has now returned for a second spell at the helm of the Spanish giants.

However, since lifting the Champions League trophy against Borussia Dortmund in 2024, Madrid have been overtaken by Barcelona on the domestic front and have suffered back-to-back quarterfinal eliminations in this tournament.

Inter have reached two finals in the 2020s, yet haven't claimed the title since Diego Milito's double downed Bayern Munich to hand Mourinho victory in the final 16 years ago.

Real Madrid vs. Inter Milan Score Prediction

15-Time Winners Bounce Back From Chaotic Defeat

Mourinho tasted his first defeat since returning to the Spanish capital on Friday night, though Madrid were desperately unlucky not to salvage at least a point against Real Betis. On the whole, it wasn't a display or outcome that should trigger too many alarm bells, even if familiar weaknesses remain on show.

It had been a bright and optimistic start to the campaign for Los Blancos, but it won't take much for the atmosphere to turn. Mourinho cannot let Friday's stumble linger, and a win here would swiftly erase that disappointment from Madridistas' minds.

Inter, however, are experienced Champions League contenders despite last season's embarrassing exit, and appear well-positioned to defend their Serie A crown. Cristian Chivu was one of Mourinho's key figures during the Portuguese's treble-winning Inter side, and he will be eager to get the better of his former boss here.

Prediction: Real Madrid 2–1 Inter Milan

Real Madrid Predicted Lineup vs. Inter Milan

Mourinho enters Real Madrid's Champions League opener with a lengthy injury list, including Ferland Mendy, who wasn't even registered in their squad for this competition. Bernardo Silva, Eduardo Camavinga and Arda Güler are all serving suspensions.

Aurélien Tchouaméni continues to manage a muscle problem, while Éder Militão should be returning to fitness soon after recovering from a hamstring injury picked up in April. In the Brazilian's absence, Ibrahima Konaté is expected to line up alongside Dean Huijsen.

Denzel Dumfries is likely to be favored over Trent Alexander-Arnold at right back, and Yan Diomande is still waiting for his first start at the club. Mourinho has so far deployed Güler as an additional playmaker from the right side and brought Diomande — the most expensive African player in history — off the bench.

Endrick, Rodrygo and Raúl Asencio are all ruled out for the visitors, though young midfielder Thiago Pitarch could make a return to Mourinho's matchday squad.

Real Madrid predicted lineup vs. Inter (4-2-3-1): Courtois; Dumfries, Konaté, Huijsen, Cucurella; Valverde, Bellingham; Diomande, Díaz, Vinícius Jr; Mbappé.

Inter Milan Predicted Lineup vs. Real Madrid

Federico Dimarco is unavailable after the Italian picked up an injury during Inter's thrilling win over Napoli on Saturday. His absence isn't expected to be lengthy, but Chivu is unlikely to take any chances with Carlos Augusto ready to step in as a reliable replacement.

Curtis Jones and John Stones are set for spots on the bench, while Inter's third English player, Djed Spence, is working his way back from a calf problem. Andy Diouf has been the first-choice right wingback since the start of the new campaign.

Marcus Thuram impressed as a substitute against Napoli, and the Frenchman could come in for the talented Pio Esposito — who recently penned a contract extension — to partner Lautaro Martínez in attack.

Inter predicted lineup vs. Real Madrid (3-5-2): J. Martínez; Bisseck, Akanji, Bastoni; Diouf, Barella, Çalhanoğlu, Zieliński, Augusto; L. Martínez, Thuram.

What Time Does Real Madrid vs. Inter Milan Kick Off?

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