Is Kylian Mbappe playing? Projected lineups for Real Madrid vs Inter Milan at 2026-27 UEFA Champions League

Real Madrid host Inter Milan to open their 2026-27 Champions League campaign at the Santiago Bernabeu, with Kylian Mbappe set to lead the line for Jose Mourinho’s side in the opening match of the new league phase.

The Frenchman arrives with a personal milestone in reach, needing just two goals against Inter to move above club legend Raul and into fifth place on the competition’s all-time scoring list.

The match carries extra weight for Real Madrid, who are looking to bounce back after a damaging loss to Real Betis in LaLiga over the weekend. A strong start at the Champions League, would go a long way toward settling any nerves after that setback.

Inter Milan arrive at the Bernabeu as one of the competition’s most consistent recent performers, having reached the final in 2025 before falling short. Under their own management setup this season, the Italian side will look to Lautaro Martinez and Marcus Thuram to provide the attacking edge that has made them one of Europe’s most dangerous counterattacking teams over the past two years.

Real Madrid projected lineup

Real Madrid will be without Arda Guler, Eduardo Camavinga and Bernardo Silva, all unavailable through suspension, forcing Mourinho into a midfield reshuffle.

Real Madrid projected starting XI: Thibaut Courtois; Denzel Dumfries, Ibrahima Konate, Dean Huijsen, Marc Cucurella; Aurélien Tchouaméni, Federico Valverde; Brahim Diaz, Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Junior; Kylian Mbappe.

Inter Milan projected lineup

Inter Milan should field a largely settled back line, with Alessandro Bastoni anchoring the defense. In midfield, Nicolo Barella and Hakan Calhanoglu are expected to control the tempo, while Lautaro Martinez and Marcus Thuram once again lead the line up top.

Inter Milan projected starting XI: Josep Martinez; Yann Bisseck, Manuel Akanji, Alessandro Bastoni; Djed Spence, Nicolo Barella, Hakan Calhanoglu, Piotr Zielinski, Federico Dimarco; Lautaro Martinez, Marcus Thuram.