Champions League: Real Madrid squad to face Inter Milan

Los Blancos begin their European campaign at the Bernabéu with a 22-man squad and several notable absentees

Europe Today at 06:30

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Champions League: Real Madrid squad to face Inter Milan

08.09.26 15:00 Champions League

Real Madrid

Inter

After suffering their first La Liga defeat, Real Madrid are seeking an immediate response against Inter in Mourinho’s first European game back.

Real Madrid begin their Champions League campaign on Tuesday, 8 September 2026, when they welcome Inter Milan to the Santiago Bernabéu. Kick-off is scheduled for 9pm in Madrid and France, and 8pm in Algeria. The fixture will be José Mourinho’s first European match since returning to Los Blancos and will reunite him with the club he famously led to the treble in 2010.

The Spanish giants had made an ideal start to the season by winning their opening three La Liga matches. That perfect run ended on Friday with a 1-0 defeat away to Real Betis. Troy Parrott scored the decisive goal in the 81st minute before Kylian Mbappé missed an equalising penalty in stoppage time. Mourinho will consequently expect an immediate reaction on the European stage.

Real Madrid’s full squad to face Inter

The Portuguese coach has selected 22 players for the opening matchday. Andriy Lunin misses out through illness, while Eduardo Camavinga, Arda Güler and Bernardo Silva are also unavailable. Aurélien Tchouaméni and Endrick, however, have returned to the squad.

Goalkeepers: Thibaut Courtois, Sergio Mestre and Javi Navarro.
Defenders: Dean Huijsen, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ibrahima Konaté, Marc Cucurella, Álvaro Carreras, Antonio Rüdiger, Denzel Dumfries and Mario Rivas.
Midfielders: Jude Bellingham, Federico Valverde, Aurélien Tchouaméni, Thiago Pitarch and Jorge Cestero.
Forwards: Vinicius Junior, Endrick, Kylian Mbappé, Carlos Espí, Brahim Díaz and Yan Diomande.

📋✅ ¡Nuestros convocados!
🆚 @Inter_es pic.twitter.com/2hmtAAD7Kd
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) September 8, 2026

A response required before Rayo Vallecano’s visit

Mourinho is expected to rely on a defence rebuilt during the summer and an attacking unit capable of deciding the contest. Mbappé will have an opportunity to move on from his penalty miss, while Vinicius Junior and Yan Diomande will be tasked with providing penetration around him. Madrid will then face several other major Champions League fixtures during the league phase.

There will be little time to recover after the Inter clash. Real Madrid host Rayo Vallecano at the Bernabéu on Saturday, 12 September, with kick-off set for 9pm, in La Liga’s fifth round. Victory in Europe would dispel the doubts created by the defeat in Seville and restore momentum to Mourinho’s new project.