Real Madrid vs Inter Milan Preview: Team News & Prediction | 2026-27 UEFA Champions League | League Phase
by Alex Lawes ·
15-time European champions Real Madrid kick off their UEFA Champions League campaign against three-time winners Internazionale at the Bernabeu in Spain.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – TNT Sports / USA – Not televised
How to watch online: UK – HBO Max / USA – Paramount+
Real Madrid preview: Strong start but beaten
In what is the second era of Jose Mourinho at the Bernabeu, his first coming after completing a famous treble with Inter at the Bernabeu in 2010, it has been a strong start to the season for Los Blancos with three wins from three before a recent trip to Seville.
Away at Real Betis playing at La Cartuja in Andalusia, Madrid were much the better side for much of the game but a second half strike from Troy Parrott was enough to inflict defeat on Mourinho’s men before Carlos Espi’s late and controversial disallowed goal and Kylian Mbappe’s late saved penalty which perhaps should have been retaken.
Inter Milan preview: Competing in Europe again
Under the management of Simone Inzaghi, Inter reached the final of the UEFA Champions League in both 2023 and 2025 but were beaten by Bodo/Glimt in a shock knockout play-off round exit with Cristian Chivu at the helm.
The Romanian did manage to ensure Inter reclaimed the Serie A title last season but he will be expected to get the Nerazzurri able to compete on multiple fronts this time around – and it has been a strong start with three wins from three in Italy.
Real Madrid team news: Several suspensions
Ahead of their UEFA Champions League opener, Real Madrid have several suspension issues as Eduardo Camavinga and Arda Guler are sidelined alongside former Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Courtois; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Huijsen, Cucurella; Valverde, Bellingham; Brahim, Espi, Vinicius; Mbappe
Unavailable: Asencio (Injured), Militao (Injured), Mendy (Injured), Tchouameni (Injured), Camavinga (Suspended), Pitarch (Injured), Silva (Suspended), Guler (Suspended), Rodrygo (Injured)
Questionable: Endrick (Injured)
Inter Milan team news: Wing-back issues
Summer signing Djed Spence is yet to regain full fitness, while fellow wing-back Federico Dimarco sustained a knee injury at the weekend and so is now a doubt for this one.
Predicted XI (3-5-2): J. Martinez; Bisseck, Akanji, Bastoni; Diouf, Barella, Calhanoglu, Jones, Henrique; Thuram, L. Martinez
Unavailable: Spence (Fitness)
Questionable: Dimarco (Injured)
Real Madrid vs Inter Milan prediction
Despite those three wins from three, Inter have had concerns about their efficiency in a 1-0 win at Cagliari and then needing to come from 2-0 down to beat Napoli at San Siro. Things don’t look exactly right just yet and now they head to the Spanish capital where, prior to their loss to Betis, Madrid had been free scoring and playing with immense confidence. Confidence should remain but there is a chance the old Mourinho style creeps in as we head into Europe and against stronger sides, as was perhaps the case for that clash against Betis. Given that and Inter’s desire for their own sturdiness and ability to prove themselves on the bigger stage once again, a low-scoring and cagey affair seems quite likely.
Real Madrid vs Inter Milan Tip: Under 2.5 goals
