Mourinho begins Champions League quest for European Cup No. 16

September 7, 2026
1:23 pm

Sixteen years after Jose Mourinho impressed Inter Milan to Champions League glory, the Portuguese supervisor begins a brand new European mission on Tuesday when his Actual Madrid aspect welcome the Nerazzurri to the Santiago Bernabeu.

The heavyweight conflict headlines the opening spherical of fixtures within the Champions League league part, with each golf equipment trying to make a powerful begin after disappointing campaigns in Europe final season.

Actual Madrid didn’t stay as much as their normal requirements within the 2025/26 Champions League, ultimately being eradicated by Bayern Munich within the quarter-finals.

Inter Milan endured an much more stunning European disappointment, struggling a shock playoff exit towards Norwegian aspect Bodo/Glimt.

Mourinho’s return to Actual Madrid has already produced an encouraging begin domestically. His aspect received their opening three La Liga fixtures towards Espanyol, Actual Sociedad and Malaga, however their good document got here to an finish on Friday with a 1-0 defeat towards Actual Betis.

The defeat uncovered among the weaknesses that proceed to encompass Mourinho’s crew, whereas Kylian Mbappe’s missed penalty added to Actual Madrid’s frustration.

Kylian Mbappe (Photo credit: Ben Jacobs) — Kylian Mbappe (Picture credit score: Ben Jacobs)

The French ahead, who stays one of many membership’s greatest attacking threats, was additionally criticised for what was described as a “egocentric” efficiency towards Betis.

Mourinho will now hope the arrival of Inter offers the right alternative for his aspect to reply and show that they’re able to problem for European soccer’s greatest prize.

The Portuguese coach is aware of Inter higher than most, having famously guided the Italian giants to an historic Champions League triumph throughout the 2009/10 season.

That marketing campaign shaped a part of a unprecedented treble-winning season for Inter, and Mourinho will now try and create one other European legacy, this time on the membership he beforehand managed between 2010 and 2013.

Inter, in the meantime, arrive in Madrid decided to place their latest European disappointments behind them.

Inter suffered a humiliating 5-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in 2025 earlier than their European journey final season ended with a giant-killing defeat to Bodo/Glimt.

Head coach Cristian Chivu was in cost throughout that disastrous marketing campaign, with Inter struggling a 5-2 mixture defeat to the Norwegian outsiders.

That home success has restored confidence across the Nerazzurri, however Tuesday’s journey to the Bernabeu represents a completely completely different check.

Actual Madrid might be decided to start Mourinho’s newest European journey with an announcement victory, whereas Inter will hope their home double offers the muse for a a lot stronger Champions League marketing campaign.

With Mourinho going through the membership he as soon as led to European glory and Inter returning to the Bernabeu carrying each latest success and painful European reminiscences, the stage is ready for an additional heavyweight encounter between two of Europe’s most embellished golf equipment.

Real Madrid Reportedly Open Talks With José Mourinho Over Possible Return - Photo Credit : Football365 — Actual Madrid Reportedly Open Talks With José Mourinho Over Doable Return – Picture Credit score : Football365

Crew Information

A brand new season doesn’t imply a clear slate on the suspension entrance, and Actual Madrid are with out no fewer than three gamers as a result of bans carried over from final season; Eduardo Camavinga, Arda Guler and Bernardo Silva.

However, Inter boast a clear invoice of well being barring new recruit Djed Spence, who remains to be constructing his health again up after an unspecified damage and might not be risked simply but.