Champions League Blockbuster: Real Madrid Host Inter Milan in Season Opener
AM730 · 1 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
Real Madrid are determined to erase the bitter taste of their first La Liga loss of the season when they welcome Inter Milan to the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium on Tuesday night in the Champions League's inaugural league-phase matchday. Manager José Mourinho, who returned for a second stint at the Spanish giants this summer, is under pressure to deliver an immediate response after Saturday's shock 1-0 defeat at Real Betis, which ended their perfect three-game start to the domestic campaign .
Key Points
- Real Madrid suffered a 0-1 loss at Real Betis on Saturday, with star striker Kylian Mbappé missing a penalty in stoppage time, halting their three-game La Liga winning streak
- Manager José Mourinho previously led Porto and Inter Milan to Champions League titles, while current Inter coach Simone Inzaghi was a player under Mourinho at the Nerazzurri
- Real Madrid will be missing three suspended midfielders—Bernardo Silva, Eduardo Camavinga, and Aurélien Tchouaméni—but can call on new signings Endrick and Brahim Díaz
- Inter Milan enter the match in good Serie A form with three consecutive wins, though they needed a 93rd-minute Lautaro Martínez goal to beat Monza 3-2 in their latest fixture
- The match kicks off at 03:00 HKT on September 9 (Wednesday morning), live on Now TV Channel 638, with the 2026 Champions League final scheduled to be held at the Bernabéu next summer
Why It Matters
This marquee fixture sets the tone for Real Madrid's Champions League campaign under their iconic manager, with the Bernabéu crowd eager to see Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior rediscover their scoring form after the weekend setback . The result could early indicate whether Inter Milan's defensive vulnerabilities—exemplified by their problematic backline led by former Manchester City defender Aymeric Laporte—can contain Madrid's attacking firepower, or if the visitors can spring an upset against the 15-time European champions .
This marquee fixture sets the tone for Real Madrid's Champions League campaign under their iconic manager, with the Bernabéu crowd eager to see Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior rediscover their scoring form after the weekend setback . The result could early indicate whether Inter Milan's defensive vulnerabilities—exemplified by their problematic backline led by former Manchester City defender Aymeric Laporte—can contain Madrid's attacking firepower, or if the visitors can spring an upset against the 15-time European champions .