Real Madrid and Inter prepare for Champions League opener at Santiago Bernabeu

Real Madrid is set to host Inter Milan at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium on September 8, 2026, at 22:00, in the opening round of the Champions League League Phase. The match is highly anticipated as both teams finalize their starting lineups for the encounter.

Manager Jose Mourinho faces significant personnel challenges, as Real Madrid will be missing three key players due to suspensions. Eduardo Camavinga and Arda Guler are serving bans following red cards received during the previous season's quarter-final defeat against Bayern Munich, while Bernardo Silva is also suspended due to a red card issued during his tenure at Manchester City. Conversely, Inter Milan, under manager Cristian Chivu, has confirmed their starting squad, featuring stars such as Lautaro Martinez and Marcus Thuram, as both sides look to make a strong start to the European campaign.

This high-stakes fixture marks the beginning of the new format for the Champions League. While the suspension of three major players represents a tactical hurdle for the Spanish side, both teams have officially submitted their starting elevens shortly before the scheduled kickoff.