Managing Madrid

Real Madrid’s 2-1 win against Inter in the Champions League opener didn’t answer a lot of questions that the fans already had. Here’s what transpired from that victory. A win is a win. Real Madrid were forced to rebuild their midfield and start Alexander-Arnold there because of injuries (Tchouameni) and suspensions (Güler, Camavinga, Silva). Still, they got the three points against one of the best teams they will face in this Group Stage. That matters.

The Daily Merengue is a place where you can feel free to discuss all things football. Do not be alarmed by the overt RMCF bias. It’s in the name! Shoutout to the mods who do a fantastic job Kung_Fu_Zizou, Juninho, NeRObutBlanco, Felipejack, Ezek Ix and yours truly, Valyrian Steel. Not great but 3 points to begin the UCL campaign. Once again thank god for Courtois even though Fede Valverde was named MOTM. Balon D’or Nominee List is out.

Thibaut Courtois: 8.5. Seven saves — and that doesn’t include those wiped out by Inter offsides. Both Mourinho and Valverde said afterwards that Courtois deserved to be Man of the Match. They’re right. Denzel Dumfries: 6. Struggled at both ends. To be fair, he received little defensive support beyond Konaté and was consistently isolated against Carlos Augusto. Ibrahima Konaté: 7. Put in a strong defensive shift, commanding the right half-space despite Real Madrid’s broader defensive problems.

Madrid won the first contact from two of their seven deliveries and generated four shots, three of them in the second phase Real Madrid’s French defender #16 Ibrahima Konate (L) vies for the ball with Inter Milan’s Argentine forward #10 Lautaro Martinez during the UEFA Champions League first round day 1 football match between Real Madrid and Inter Milan at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on September 8, 2026.

MADRID, SPAIN - SEPTEMBER 8: Vinicius Junior left winger of Real Madrid and Brazil is replaced and talks with Jose Mourinho head coach of Real Madrid during the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between Real Madrid C.F. and FC Internazionale Milano at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on September 8, 2026 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Jose Hernandez/Anadolu via Getty Images) Anadolu via Getty Images Jose Mourinho spoke to the media after Real Madrid’s 2-1 win over Inter on Tuesday.

MADRID, SPAIN - SEPTEMBER 08: Kylian Mbappé player of Real Madrid during the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between Real Madrid C.F. and FC Internazionale Milano at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on September 08, 2026 in Madrid, Spain.

MADRID, SPAIN - SEPTEMBER 08: Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid competes for the ball with Yann Aurel Bisseck of FC Internazionale during the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between Real Madrid C.F. and FC Internazionale Milano at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on September 08, 2026 in Madrid, Spain.

Real Madrid 2-1 Inter Milan (Mbappé & Valverde). A first European win of the season... You are reading the immediate reaction. More for you: Player ratings, press conferences and a post game podcast. The Champions League is back, and a sentimental reunion against Inter Milan for numerous figures seemed a fitting opener for such a prestigious competition. With a number of players serving suspensions gained last season, there was a lot of talk about the line-up prior to this game.

Real Madrid have published their starting lineup for the upcoming match against Inter Milan in the Champions League. STARTING LINEUPS: Real Madrid starting XI: Courtois; Dumfries, Konaté, Huijsen, Cucurella; Valverde, Trent; Brahim, Bellingham, Vinicius; Mbappé. Inter Milan starting XI (TBC): Martínez; Bisseck, Stones, Bastoni; Luis Henrique, Barella, Calhanoglu, Jones, Carlos Ausgusto; Lautaro, Thuram. HOW TO WATCH, STREAM CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Date: 09/08/2026 Time: 21:00 CET, 03:00pm EST.

I have mixed feelings about this game. There is part of me that feels the same about tonight as I did against Malaga: Bernabeu home opener in a major tournament, a charged atmosphere, and a motivated Real Madrid = W. I think this is a great opportunity to have a mental rebound following the Real Betis debacle, and, a win against a big European club is also a chance to prove that what happened in La Cartuja was a freak occurrence that came down to bad finishing (and a poor second half, which.