Real Madrid vs. Inter Milan: Champions League Lineups and Match Details

The Champions League group stage kicks off with a highly anticipated match between Real Madrid and Inter Milan at the Santiago Bernabéu stadium. Kick-off is scheduled for 20:00 UK time (21:00 CEST).

Inter Milan will feature Lautaro Martinez, Marcus Thuram, and Curtis Jones in their starting lineup. However, they face a setback with Federico Dimarco being unavailable due to a knee injury. Djed Spence is also a doubt, meaning Carlos Augusto will start on the left, with Andy Diouf chosen over Luis Henrique on the right flank. Jones makes his debut start for Inter since his move from Liverpool. In defense, Manuel Akanji and John Stones are replaced by Benjamin Pavard and Yann Bisseck. Thuram returns to the starting eleven alongside Lautaro Martinez, with Francesco Pio Esposito moving to the bench.

Real Madrid, on the other hand, is grappling with significant squad issues. They suffered a recent 1-0 defeat against Real Betis, where Kylian Mbappé missed a penalty. The team is hampered by numerous injuries, with Eder Militao, Ferland Mendy, Raul Asencio, and Rodrygo all sidelined. Additionally, Bernardo Silva, Arda Guler, and Eduardo Camavinga are suspended for this opening Champions League fixture. Aurelien Tchouaméni, Endrick, and Thiago Pitarch are only fit enough for the bench.

Denzel Dumfries faces his former club, Inter Milan, just months after departing San Siro. Brahim Diaz, Antonio Rudiger, and Dean Huijsen also have past experience in Serie A.

Summer acquisitions Marc Cucurella and Ibrahima Konaté are in the starting XI, alongside Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Junior, and Mbappé. Notably, Trent Alexander-Arnold appears to be deployed in midfield in a 4-2-3-1 formation, leaving the €125 million signing Yan Diomande on the bench.

Real Madrid vs. Inter Lineups

Real Madrid: Courtois; Dumfries, Konaté, Huijsen, Cucurella; Alexander-Arnold, Valverde; Brahim Diaz, Bellingham, Vinicius Jr; Mbappé

Real Madrid Bench: Lunin, Sergio Mestre, Endrick, Tchouaméni, Carreras, Carlos Espi, Rudiger, Diomande, Thiago Pitarch, Jorge Cestero, Mario Rivas

Inter: Josep Martinez; Pavard, Bisseck, Bastoni; Diouf, Barella, Calhanoglu, Jones, Carlos Augusto; Thuram, Lautaro Martinez

Inter Bench: Di Gennaro, Provedel, Stankovic, Stones, Zielinski, Sucic, Luis Henrique, Bonny, Mkhitaryan, Akanji, Esposito

Referee: Oliver (ENG)