Real Madrid host Inter in Champions League opener as Mourinho faces former club

Real Madrid open their Champions League campaign on Tuesday against Inter Milan at the Santiago Bernabéu, marking José Mourinho's first European meeting with the club he led to the treble in 2010. The match comes days after Madrid suffered their first loss of the season, a La Liga defeat to Real Betis.

Mourinho's selection decisions drew scrutiny after he substituted Arda Güler while leaving Vinícius Júnior and Kylian Mbappé on the pitch despite poor performances, with Mbappé missing a late penalty. Aurélien Tchouaméni is set to be available for the first time this season.

“We have an obligation to write important pages in the history of this club.”

Inter will be without key left-back Federico Dimarco, who suffered a mild knee sprain against Napoli. The 28-year-old, who recorded eight goals and 18 assists in 47 appearances last season, trained with the group but was held out as a precaution.

Inter coach Cristian Chivu, a member of Mourinho's 2010 treble-winning squad, said his team has an "obligation to write important pages in the history of this club." Chivu rejected suggestions he copied Mourinho's philosophy, stating he developed his own ideas. Inter have not won at the Bernabéu in six decades.