Real Madrid and Inter face off on Matchday 1 of the 2026–27 UEFA Champions League league phase, and here are all the live updates from this high-stakes matchup. The 2026–27 UEFA Champions League is officially underway. On Matchday 1 of the league phase, Real Madrid host Inter in what promises to be a thrilling encounter at the Santiago Bernabeu. Real Madrid have endured a rocky start to the 2026–27 season. They recently suffered a defeat to Real Betis in LaLiga, leading many to believe the squad has not yet found its footing under manager Jose Mourinho. In contrast, Inter have won all three of their opening fixtures in Serie A. The Nerazzurri are also coming off a 2025–26 domestic title run, establishing them as genuine contenders for the Champions League crown this campaign.
Real Madrid open their Champions League campaign against Inter Milan, where Kylian Mbappe will lead his team at the Santiago Bernabeu. Real Madrid host Inter Milan to open their 2026-27 Champions League campaign at the Santiago Bernabeu, with Kylian Mbappe set to lead the line for Jose Mourinho’s side in the opening match of the new league phase. The Frenchman arrives with a personal milestone in reach, needing just two goals against Inter to move above club legend Raul and into fifth place on the competition’s all-time scoring list. The match carries extra weight for Real Madrid, who are looking to bounce back after a damaging loss to Real Betis in LaLiga over the weekend. A strong start at the Champions League, would go a long way toward settling any nerves after that setback. Inter Milan arrive at the Bernabeu as one of the competition’s most consistent recent performers, having reached the final in 2025 before falling short. Under their own management setup this season, the Italian side will look to Lautaro Martinez and Marcus Thuram to provide the attacking edge that has made them one of Europe’s most dangerous counterattacking teams over the past two years. REAL MADRID 🤝 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE pic.twitter.com/uLz3m8zTIV— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) September 8, 2026 Real Madrid projected lineup Real Madrid will be without Arda Guler, Eduardo Camavinga and Bernardo Silva, all unavailable through suspension, forcing Mourinho into a midfield reshuffle. Real Madrid projected starting XI: Thibaut Courtois; Denzel Dumfries, Ibrahima Konate, Dean Huijsen, Marc Cucurella; Aurélien Tchouaméni, Federico Valverde; Brahim Diaz, Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Junior; Kylian Mbappe. Inter Milan projected lineup Inter Milan should field a largely settled back line, with Alessandro Bastoni anchoring the defense. In midfield, Nicolo Barella and Hakan Calhanoglu are expected to control the tempo, while Lautaro Martinez and Marcus Thuram once again lead the line up top. Inter Milan projected starting XI: Josep Martinez; Yann Bisseck, Manuel Akanji, Alessandro Bastoni; Djed Spence, Nicolo Barella, Hakan Calhanoglu, Piotr Zielinski, Federico Dimarco; Lautaro Martinez, Marcus Thuram.
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