Real Madrid Tops Inter Milan in Champions League Opener

Mourinho's Lineup Choices

Real Madrid coach José Mourinho started Trent Alexander-Arnold as a central midfielder alongside Fede Valverde for the team's Champions League matchday one game against Inter Milan at the Santiago Bernabéu, according to HolaNews. Alexander-Arnold normally plays right back.

Mourinho was missing Bernardo Silva, Eduardo Camavinga and Arda Güler through suspension, while Aurelien Tchouaméni and Thiago Pitarch had only just returned from injury, HolaNews reported. Brahim Díaz started on the right in Güler's place, and Yan Diomande, described by HolaNews as the club's most expensive signing ever, stayed on the bench. Goalkeeper Andriy Lunin recovered from flu in time to be a substitute, taking the spot of Javi Navarro.

Real Madrid lined up with Courtois; Dumfries, Konate, Huijsen, Cucurella; Trent, Valverde; Brahim, Bellingham, Vinícius; and Mbappé. Inter coach Cristian Chivu started Marcus Thuram alongside Lautaro Martínez up front, leaving out Sebastiano Esposito, per HolaNews. Inter's team was Josep Martínez; Pavard, Bisseck, Bastoni; Diouf, Barella, Calhanoglu, Curtis Jones, Dimarco; Lautaro Martínez and Thuram.

Result and Standings

Real Madrid won the match, its first in this season's Champions League league phase, according to DiarioMadridista. Inter scored in the second half through Carlos Augusto, denying Real Madrid a clean sheet, the outlet reported. The final scoreline was not given in the available reports.

The win puts Real Madrid level on points with Aston Villa, Real Betis, Borussia Dortmund, Manchester City and AEK Athens in a provisional top eight after the first six matches of the competition's league phase, DiarioMadridista reported. Mourinho has set finishing in the top eight, which brings direct qualification to the round of 16, as a goal for the campaign.

Real Madrid will not play its next Champions League match until 14 October, away to Roma, a club Mourinho previously managed, according to DiarioMadridista.

Mixed Reaction Despite the Win

Diario AS reported that Real Madrid's performance left mixed impressions despite the result, with the team lacking ideas in possession and struggling defensively in the second half. Quotes carried by the outlet described the display as self-critical, acknowledging chances were created but that the team suffered without playing its usual style.

Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois was named the match's standout performer, credited by a teammate quoted in AS's coverage with saving the team during a strong first half. AS also reported that some Bernabéu fans whistled at points toward Vinícius Júnior and Kylian Mbappé, and that Mourinho walked alongside Vinícius as he left the pitch to show support.