Overview
Special One" Jose Mourinho is looking for another memorable moment in the Champions League, but this time the challenge is Real Madrid. For Inter Milan, this confrontation is also an opportunity for the Italian team to regain their position after heavy defeats in European competitions.
Real Madrid once dominated the Champions League, but the 16th championship has not yet arrived. After being overtaken by Paris Saint-Germain in the power race in Europe, the Royal Spanish team continues to face a difficult journey. Arsenal, RB Leipzig, Roma and Shakhtar Donetsk are all in the group of opponents waiting for them in the group stage.
However, Real Madrid usually has a good start in the Champions League. This team has won 17 of the last 19 matches in the group stage, including 5 consecutive wins since the 2-3 defeat to Shakhtar Donetsk in 2020. That achievement shows that Real Madrid is still a very difficult opponent to subdue when returning to the European arena.
Form in La Liga also brought many advantages when Real Madrid won all 3 of the first rounds against Espanyol, Real Sociedad and Malaga. However, the 0-1 defeat to Real Betis exposed familiar problems. Kylian Mbappe even missed a penalty, closing the match where Real Madrid's attack could not find a goal.
Inter also has reasons to set high goals. Since the 2010 Champions League title under Mourinho, they have not been able to replicate that success. Inter once reached the final in 2023 but lost to Manchester City 0-1, then continued to experience heavy defeats against Paris Saint-Germain and Bodo/Glimt.
The 0-5 defeat to PSG in the 2025 final is one of Inter's unforgettable memories. Last season, the Italian team also suffered another shock when they were defeated by Bodo/Glimt 5-2. Cristian Chivu was the coach of Inter in that match, but he still helped the team maintain strength in the domestic league.
Inter won a Serie A and Coppa Italia double, the first since the legendary 2009-2010 season under Mourinho. They also started the new season with a 3-match winning streak in Serie A against Monza, Cagliari and Napoli.
The victory over Napoli shows Inter's bravery. They were led by the opponent but still came back to win 3-2 thanks to Lautaro Martinez's decisive goal in injury time. This is a match that shows the competitiveness of the reigning Serie A champion, although Inter has not been able to maintain stability at all times.
Real Madrid cannot underestimate this opponent either. Inter is in good form and has a wealth of experience in the Champions League. However, the history of confrontations is not on the side of the Italian team.
Inter has not won against Real Madrid since 1998. They have lost all 4 recent encounters, including not scoring in the last 3 matches. That gap makes the upcoming confrontation a real test for Inter's ambition.
Expected lineup:
Real Madrid: Courtois, Dumfries, Konate, Huijsen, Cucurella, Bellingham, Valverde, Diomande, Diaz, Vinicius, Mbappe.
Inter Milan: Martinez, Bastoni, Bisseck, Akanji, Diouf, Barella, Jones, Calhanoglu, Augusto, Martinez, Thuram.
The match between Real Madrid and Inter Milan takes place at 2:00 a.m. on September 9 (Vietnam time).
