Champions League prediction: Real Madrid face a stern test against Inter Milan

Real Madrid face an awkward Champions League opener against an Inter Milan side that has started the season with three straight Serie A wins. The match will take place at 2 a.m. on Sept. 9 and is expected to be one of the standout fixtures of the opening round.

Real Madrid had won three consecutive league matches before losing 1-0 to Real Betis last week. The defeat came on a day when Kylian Mbappe and his teammates struggled to convert their chances, although the team’s overall play remained cohesive.

Inter arrive in stronger condition. Their latest victory, a dramatic 3-2 win over title rivals Napoli, underlined their strength despite the difficulty of the match. Real Madrid, meanwhile, face fitness concerns in defense and midfield. Tchouameni, Eder Militao, Cucurella, Raul Asencio, Rodrygo and Ferland Mendy are not fully fit, while Eduardo Camavinga, Arda Guler and Bernardo Silva are suspended.

Inter can field an almost full-strength team, with Lautaro Martinez and Marcus Thuram leading the attack and Bastoni, Akanji and Bisseck available in defense. Real Madrid still have home advantage and encouraging history: they have won 17 of their last 19 Champions League openers and all four of their meetings with Inter in the 21st century.

The match also reunites Jose Mourinho with Inter, whom he guided to the Champions League title in 2010. The prediction is a 2-2 draw, although the article notes that Inter were already leading 1-0 at the time of publication.