The Champions League returns to the Bernabéu with a heavyweight meeting on the opening matchday. Real Madrid host Serie A champions Inter on Tuesday, 8 September 2026, with kick-off scheduled for 21:00 CEST.\n\nJosé Mourinho begins the European chapter of his second spell in Madrid against opponents who have started the season strongly. At his pre-match press conference, the Portuguese coach said he does not connect this spell with his 2010–2013 tenure and feels no special debt over the trophy that eluded him then.\n\nMourinho nevertheless made the club's standard clear: Real Madrid want to win every match and every competition. He called for stability and structure following a 1–0 LaLiga defeat by Real Betis, the first setback of his second spell.\n\nMadrid enter the fixture with confirmed midfield absences. Arda Güler, Bernardo Silva and Eduardo Camavinga are suspended, while Inter have no suspended players. Michael Oliver has been appointed as the referee.\n\nKylian Mbappé said his focus is on being ready and helping the team open their Champions League campaign with a victory. Final line-ups and any additional absences will only be confirmed closer to kick-off.\n\nSTATUS: OFFICIAL — the date, time, venue, suspensions and referee are confirmed; the starting line-ups have not yet been announced.\n\nSOURCES: Inter, 7 September 2026 — https://www.inter.it/en/news/real-madrid-inter-guide-champions-league-26-27 · Real Madrid, 7 September 2026 — https://www.realmadrid.com/en-US/news/football/first-team/press-conference/jugador-07-09-2026 · Reuters, 7 September 2026 — https://www.reuters.com/sports/soccer/mourinho-not-feeling-pressure-win-champions-league-second-real-madrid-spell-2026-09-07/