Real Madrid Prepares for Champions League Opener Against Inter Milan Amid Key Player Absences
Real Madrid will launch their quest for a 16th Champions League title next week when they welcome Inter Milan to the Bernabeu. Jose Mourinho aims for a winning start against his former club, but he faces challenges in selecting his lineup.
While Mourinho should have most of his squad available, he has received confirmation that three players will miss the upcoming match due to suspension. Bernardo Silva, Arda Guler, and Eduardo Camavinga will not be eligible to play, as they were all shown red cards in their final games of last season’s Champions League—Silva during Manchester City’s match against Real Madrid, while Guler and Camavinga received theirs against Bayern Munich. These suspensions will carry into next week’s fixture.
Mourinho Facing Selection Headache in Midfield
The absence of these three key players poses a significant challenge for Mourinho, particularly as they all could have joined Federico Valverde in the midfield. If Aurelien Tchouameni does not recover from his injury in time for the match, which looks increasingly unlikely, Real Madrid may need to reposition Jude Bellingham to a deeper role. Alternatively, they could shift Trent Alexander-Arnold into a position he has filled while playing for England.
This situation isn’t ideal for Mourinho, who will need to devise a strategy within the next eight days. Although Bellingham appears to be the most probable candidate for the deeper role, his performances so far this season indicate he is more effective in a more advanced position.
Real Madrid will start their bid for a 16th Champions League title next week when they host Inter Milan at the Bernabeu. Jose Mourinho will be keen to start the league phase with a victory against his former club, and while his side will be big favourites to take the three points, his team selection for the match will be tricky.
Depending on injuries, Mourinho will have the vast majority of his Real Madrid squad to choose from, but aside from those already pencilled in to miss the Inter match, the club has now been notified that three will be absent due to suspension.
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As per Marca, Real Madrid will be unable to call upon Bernardo Silva, Arda Guler and Eduardo Camavinga for the visit of Inter. All three players were sent off in their final appearances for last season’s Champions League (Silva for Manchester City vs Real Madrid, Guler and Camavinga vs Bayern Munich), and these bans carry over to next week’s fixture.
Mourinho facing selection headache in midfield
It is a big problem for Mourinho to be without the trio for the Inter match, given that all three would be options to play alongside Federico Valverde in the centre of midfield. If Aurelien Tchouameni fails to recover from his injury in time for next week’s fixture, which is almost certain at this stage, Real Madrid may be forced to utilise Jude Bellingham in a deeper role, or perhaps move Trent Alexander-Arnold into a position where he has played for England.
That would not be ideal for Mourinho, who must come up with a solution in the next eight days. Bellingham is likely to be the favoured candidate to operate in a deeper role, but as the opening matches of the season have shown, he is much better in an advanced position.
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