Inter return to the Bernabeu, the stadium where they won the last Champions League in their history—and the last for Italian football (back in 2010). Since then, the Nerazzurri have played in three more European finals (two Champions League, one Europa League), but lost them all.
Real Madrid vs Inter is a true classic of European football, and for the Nerazzurri it holds even greater significance, because on that night of May 22, 2010 in Madrid, Inter were managed by José Mourinho, who has remained in the hearts of all Inter fans ever since.
The Portuguese manager returned to the Real Madrid bench this summer, having previously coached there from 2010 to 2013, with the goal—as always at the Santiago Bernabeu—of bringing the Champions League trophy back home. Real Madrid have won the European Cup/Champions League a record 15 times, and consider it their "home trophy," the one to keep in the cabinet as much as possible. In Madrid, the big-eared trophy hasn’t returned since 2024—an eternity for president Florentino Perez.
Real Madrid vs Inter: The Numbers
This century, Real Madrid have won all four Champions League matches played against Inter, and the Nerazzurri have lost their last three games against Los Blancos without scoring a single goal.
Inter come into this match at the Bernabeu having lost five of their last six Champions League games.
Inter vs Real Madrid was also the European Cup final in the 1963/64 season. That year, the Nerazzurri, managed by Helenio Herrera, won the first international trophy in their history.
The clash between Inter and Real Madrid has also been played twice in the European Cup semi-finals. In the 1966/67 season, Inter won both legs and reached the final (which they then lost to Celtic), while in 1980/81 it was Real Madrid who advanced to the final, only to lose to Liverpool.
This fixture was also played twice in the UEFA Cup semi-finals (1984/85 and 1985/86), with Real Madrid winning on both occasions.
What Kind of Match Should We Expect from Real Madrid and Inter?
Mourinho’s Real Madrid have won their first three matches in La Liga, but in the fourth, despite dominating, lost 1-0 away to Real Betis (Mbappé also missed a penalty in stoppage time). The Portuguese manager will stick with his 4-2-3-1 formation and will look to control the game against Inter.
Chivu’s Nerazzurri arrive on the back of three wins out of three in Serie A, the latest particularly thrilling as the reigning Italian champions overturned Napoli in a crazy match, eventually winning 3-2. As usual, Chivu will stick with his tried-and-tested 3-5-2 formation.
Probable Line-ups for Real Madrid vs Inter
Mourinho is dealing with several absences. Against Inter, he will be without the suspended Arda Guler, Bernardo Silva, and Camavinga, as well as the injured Asensio, Militão, Mendy, and Rodrygo. The Portuguese coach will try to recover Tchouameni for midfield, while up front, former Milan man Brahim Diaz is expected to start.
Chivu has far fewer selection problems, though Dimarco’s condition will need to be monitored after he came off with a sore knee in the win over Napoli. It’s likely the Italian international will start on the bench, with Carlos Augusto favored to start.
Calhanoglu, who only came on in the second half against Napoli, will start at the Bernabeu. In attack, Marcus Thuram is expected to partner the ever-present Lautaro Martinez.
Probable Line-ups:
Real Madrid (4-2-3-1): Courtois; Dumfries, Konaté, Huijsen, Cucurella; Valverde, Bellingham; Diomande, Brahim Diaz, Vinicius Jr; Mbappé. Manager: Mourinho
Inter (3-5-2): J. Martinez; Bisseck, Stones, Bastoni; Diouf, Barella, Calhanoglu, Zielinski, Carlos Augusto; Lautaro Martinez, M. Thuram. Manager: Chivu