Real Madrid vs. Inter: Probable Lineups and Where to Watch

Cristian Chivu's Inter squad faces a formidable challenge in their 2026-27 Champions League opener against Real Madrid on Tuesday evening. However, the team will be contending with several key absences due to injuries and suspensions.

The Nerazzurri are aiming to improve upon their disappointing performance in the 2025-26 European campaign, which concluded in the knockout play-off round against Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt. Since then, Chivu and his team have achieved success by winning both the Serie A title and the Coppa Italia.

Inter will be without Federico Dimarco for the match at the Bernabeu. The Italian international has not traveled with the squad as a precautionary measure while he recovers from a minor knee issue sustained during Saturday's 3-2 Serie A victory over Napoli. Carlos Augusto is expected to deputize at left wing-back in Dimarco's absence.

Pre-match reports indicate that Curtis Jones might make his full Inter debut against Real Madrid on Tuesday night. The English midfielder has come off the bench in Inter's last two Serie A games since his €35 million transfer from Liverpool.

Marcus Thuram, who scored as a substitute against Napoli over the weekend, could be given his first start of the 2026-27 season. Pio Esposito has partnered captain Lautaro Martinez in the first three league games of the new campaign and is more likely to be the one to make way if the French forward is included in the starting XI.

According to Sky Sport Italia, former Nerazzurri wing-back Denzel Dumfries is anticipated to start at right-back against his former club on Tuesday evening.

Real Madrid, the 15-time winners, will also be missing several important players, including Bernardo Silva, Eduardo Camavinga, and Arda Guler, who are suspended.

Manager Jose Mourinho faces several decisions in central midfield. Aurelien Tchouameni has recently returned to training but has not yet featured this season, making his inclusion in the starting lineup unlikely. However, Kylian Mbappé, Vinícius Júnior, and Jude Bellingham are all fit and available, and are expected to feature in Mourinho's starting XI.

Kick-off is scheduled for 8:00 PM BST this evening.

Real Madrid vs. Inter: Probable Lineups

Real Madrid (4-2-3-1): Courtois; Dumfries, Konaté, Huijsen, Cucurella; Valverde, Bellingham; Diomande, Díaz, Vinícius; Mbappé.

Inter (3-5-2): J. Martínez; Bisseck, Akanji, Bastoni; L. Henrique, Barella, Calhanoglu, Jones, C. Augusto; Thuram, L. Martínez.

Where to Watch Real Madrid vs. Inter

The match will be broadcast live in the UK on TNT Sports 1 and TNT Sports 5, and can also be streamed online via HBO Max. In the USA, supporters can tune in through Paramount+.

Join us for comprehensive pre-match buildup, live in-game coverage, and post-match analysis on the Football Italia Liveblog.