Champions League line-ups: Real Madrid vs Inter

Inter start Lautaro Martinez, Marcus Thuram and Curtis Jones, but Federico Dimarco is injured for the Champions League clash with Denzel Dumfries’ decimated Real Madrid.

It kicks off at the Bernabeu in Madrid at 20.00 UK time (21.00 CEST).

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens on the Liveblog.

Inter Milan coach Jose Mourinho lifts the trophy in front of his team after winning the UEFA Champions League final between Bayern Munich and Inter Milan at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Spain, 22 May 2010. EPA/EMILIO NARANJO NO MOBILE DEVICES This is the opening game of the Champions League for the Italian clubs this season, and is one of special reunions, including between Cristian Chivu and the coach of his 2010 Treble-winning team Jose Mourinho.

Inter do not have a full squad at their disposal after three victories out of three in Serie A, as Dimarco was ruled out by a knee issue in the 3-2 thriller with Napoli.

MILAN, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 05: Lautaro Martinez of Internazionale celebrates scoring his team’s third goal during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and SSC Napoli at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on September 05, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images) Djed Spence is also struggling, so Carlos Augusto has to take over on the left, with Andy Diouf preferred to Luis Henrique on the right flank.

Jones gets his first start since the move from Liverpool, but Manuel Akanji and John Stones are both dropped in favour of Benjamin Pavard and Yann Bisseck in defence.

Thuram is back in the initial XI alongside Lautaro Martinez, sending Francesco Pio Esposito to the bench.

MILAN, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 05: Marcus Thuram of Internazionale celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and SSC Napoli at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on September 05, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images) Real Madrid suffered a surprise 1-0 defeat away to Real Betis on Friday, where Kylian Mbappé saw his penalty parried.

They have numerous injury problems too , as Eder Militao, Ferland Mendy, Raul Asencio and Rodrygo are out of action.

On top of that, Bernardo Silva, Arda Guler and Eduardo Camavinga are suspended for the opening Champions League fixture.

Aurelien Tchouameni, Endrick and Thiago Pitarch are only fit for a spot on the bench.

BARCELONA, SPAIN – MAY 11: Kylian Mbappe of Real Madrid celebrates scoring his team’s first goal with teammate Jude Bellingham during the LaLiga match between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid CF at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on May 11, 2025 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images) Dumfries faces his former club just months after leaving San Siro, while Brahim Diaz, Antonio Rudiger and Dean Huijsen also have a past in Serie A.

Summer signings Marc Cucurella and Ibrahima Konaté start, with Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Junior and Mbappé.

Unusually, it looks as if Trent Alexander-Arnold is going to play in midfield for a 4-2-3-1 formation, leaving €125m buy Yan Diomande on the bench.

HOUSTON, TEXAS – JUNE 20: Denzel Dumfries #22 of Netherlands arrives at the stadium before the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group F match between Netherlands and Sweden at Houston Stadium on June 20, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Molly Darlington/Getty Images) Real Madrid vs. Inter line-ups Real Madrid: Courtois; Dumfries, Konaté, Huijsen, Cucurella; Alexander-Arnold, Valverde; Brahim Diaz, Bellingham, Vinicius Jr; Mbappé

Real Madrid bench: Lunin, Sergio Mestre, Endrick, Tchouameni, 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

Ref: Oliver (ENG)

08-09-2026 20:00

MatchDay 1

Santiago Bernabéu Stadium

Real Madrid

Inter

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