Real Madrid vs Inter: Mourinho’s Champions League Test

Real Madrid start the new 2026/27 Champions League campaign as José Mourinho prepares his squad for a very tough opening-night playing against Inter Milan at the Santiago Bernabéu.

Real Madrid host the Serie A Champions Inter Milan on Tuesday, 8 September, looking for an immediate response after their perfect domestic start was ended by a 1-0 defeat away to Real Betis.

Madrid are still the third in LaLiga, after winning their opening three league matches and losing their last. Barcelona lead with 12 points, Alavés have 10 and Betis are level with Madrid on nine.

Betis Defeat Interrupts Mourinho’s Strong Start

Until the setback in Seville, Mourinho’s second spell in Madrid had begun positively.

Real opened the season with a 2-1 victory at Espanyol before beating Real Sociedad 4-1 and Málaga 4-0 at the Bernabéu. Those results suggested that Mourinho was beginning to establish his structure following a significant summer rebuild, but Betis offered the first evidence that Madrid remain vulnerable when their attacking efficiency drops.

Madrid created opportunities to escape with at least a point. Mbappé hit the crossbar shortly after Parrott’s goal, while substitute Carlos Espí produced an acrobatic finish that was disallowed for offside following a VAR review. Mbappé then had Madrid’s clearest route back into the contest from the penalty spot, only for Valles to deny him.

Mourinho acknowledged afterwards that his team had failed to turn its attacking production into goals, making the response against Inter particularly significant.

Madrid Absences Complicate Mourinho’s Champions League Plans

The greater concern ahead of the European opener is Madrid’s availability crisis.

UEFA’s latest Matchday 1 team information lists Raúl Asencio, Endrick, Éder Militão, Thiago Pitarch and Rodrygo among the players unavailable through injury. Aurélien Tchouaméni is considered doubtful because of a muscular problem.

Madrid are also without three important midfield options through suspension. Eduardo Camavinga and Arda Güler are serving bans carried over from last season’s Champions League campaign, while summer signing Bernardo Silva is also suspended.

That combination significantly reduces Mourinho’s flexibility through the centre of the pitch. Federico Valverde and Jude Bellingham are therefore likely to assume increased responsibility in controlling transitions against an Inter side comfortable both with and without possession.

The absences are particularly important because Inter arrive in Madrid with considerably more continuity.

Inter Bring Perfect Serie A Record to Bernabéu

Inter have won all three of their Serie A matches this season, scoring eight goals and conceding three.

They began their title defence with a 4-1 victory over Monza, followed it with a 1-0 win at Cagliari and then defeated Napoli 3-2 before travelling to Spain. That leaves Inter level on nine points with Roma near the top of Serie A and gives the Nerazzurri considerably stronger momentum than Madrid following the weekend.

Mourinho himself highlighted the contrast before the game, describing Inter as a club operating from a position of greater structural stability while acknowledging that Madrid are still establishing the foundations of his new project.

The reunion also carries considerable personal history.

Real Madrid Hold Historical Advantage Over Inter

Few Champions League opening fixtures carry this level of European history.

Real Madrid and Inter have met 19 times in European competitions, with Madrid recording 10 victories, Inter 7 and the teams drawing twice. Inter famously beat Madrid 3-1 in the 1964 European Cup final, but the Spanish side have dominated the most recent meetings.

Mourinho Renews VAR Criticism Before Inter Clash

Madrid’s preparations have also been accompanied by renewed debate over refereeing.

Mourinho questioned why Mbappé’s late penalty against Betis was not ordered to be retaken after Marc Bartra appeared to enter the penalty area before the kick was taken. The Madrid coach publicly asked whether the VAR officials had failed to understand the law or had chosen not to intervene, while stressing that the refereeing decision was not the reason his team lost.

He also expressed frustration over a booking shown to Vinícius Júnior during the same match.

The comments add another layer to a fixture in which Mourinho will already face considerable tactical challenges because of his restricted squad.

Mbappé Carries World Cup Form Into European Campaign

Mbappé remains Madrid’s most obvious match-winner. He scored 4 goals in the first four LaLiga matches and he enters the Champions League following an individual World Cup record this summer with 22 total goals, after scoring 10 goals and providing 4 asissts, according to FIFA.

That form has strengthened his case ahead of the 2026 Ballon d’Or, and Mbappé has openly stated that he believes he can win the award.

Those comments prompted criticism from former France forward Christophe Dugarry, who objected to the public emphasis on an individual prize and described that approach as “childish and pathetic”.

Against Inter, however, the immediate focus will return to what Mbappé can deliver for Madrid collectively after his costly missed penalty against Betis.

Vinícius Sets the Ambition

Vinícius Júnior has gone even further in setting expectations for Madrid’s European campaign.

The Brazilian has publicly predicted that Real Madrid will win this season’s Champions League, a statement that reflects the extraordinary standards attached to a club that measures successful seasons against European trophies.

Vinícius has already scored in a Champions League final and knows the demands of the competition, but Madrid’s opening fixture should offer a clearer indication of whether the confidence surrounding Mourinho’s rebuilt side is supported by sufficient depth.

Inter bring form, tactical continuity and experience to the Bernabéu. Madrid bring Mbappé, Vinícius, home advantage and one of European football’s strongest Champions League traditions—but they do so with a heavily reduced squad.

For Mourinho, that makes Tuesday night far more than a ceremonial European homecoming. It is the first major examination of whether his new Madrid can cope when circumstances are working against them.