Mourinho’s Champions League Challenge: Real Madrid vs Inter Milan

Jose Mourinho is back under the Bernabeu lights in the Champions League – and fate has handed him the most familiar of opponents.

Real Madrid v Inter Milan is not just a heavyweight group-stage tie. It’s Mourinho against his own history, his current project facing the club with whom he last ruled Europe.

Mourinho’s European mission resumes

Real Madrid have gone two full seasons without a trophy. That is an eternity in this city. Mourinho has been brought back with a simple brief: restore the edge, restore the silverware, restore the fear.

On Tuesday night, he steps into the Champions League with Madrid again, chasing a first title in the competition since that famous 2010 triumph with Inter. Across the technical area stands Cristian Chivu, once his trusted lieutenant in that Treble-winning side, now the man in charge of the Nerazzurri.

Mourinho’s second spell has already taken its first hit. A 1-0 defeat at Real Betis on Friday ended his unbeaten start and offered an early reminder that this Madrid is still a work in progress. Inter, by contrast, arrive in rhythm. They came from behind to beat Napoli at the weekend, making it three wins from three in Serie A.

And then there is Kylian Mbappé. The Bernabeu’s new superstar is hunting the one club prize that continues to elude him. Paris Saint-Germain have lifted the last two Champions League titles without him; now he leads Madrid’s charge to reclaim the crown.

When and where

Real Madrid v Inter Milan
Bernabeu, Madrid
Kick-off: 8pm BST, Tuesday 9 September

How to watch in the UK

The match will be shown live on TNT Sports 1, following coverage of Club Brugge v Aston Villa.

Team news: Madrid light in midfield

Mourinho’s biggest headache is in the centre of the pitch.

Real Madrid are without three suspended midfielders: Eduardo Camavinga, Bernardo Silva and Arda Guler. Camavinga and Guler saw red in last season’s quarter-final defeat at Bayern Munich, while Silva’s ban stems from his dismissal in Manchester City’s last-16 loss to Madrid.

Aurelien Tchouameni is also a doubt with injury. If he fails to make it, Mourinho could be forced into a makeshift engine room on a night when control in midfield will be everything.

Inter have fewer concerns. Federico Dimarco was forced off against Napoli and is not expected to feature, but Chivu has no other fitness issues. One intriguing subplot: Curtis Jones, the former Liverpool midfielder and England international, could make his Champions League debut for Inter.

Expected line-ups

• Real Madrid (probable XI):
  Courtois; Dumfries, Konate, Huijsen; Cucurella; Valverde, Bellingham, Brahim Diaz; Diomonde, Mbappe, Vinicius Jr
• Inter Milan (probable XI):
  Martinez; Bisseck, Akanji, Bastoni, Henrique; Calhanoglu, Barella, Jones; Augusto, Martinez, Thuram

Mourinho chasing history. Mbappé chasing his first European crown. Inter chasing the man who once led them to the summit. The Bernabeu will decide who blinks first.