Real Madrid will be without three midfielders for their Champions League league-phase opener against Inter Milan due to suspensions carried over from last season, while Aurélien Tchouaméni remains sidelined with an injury.
The absences leave Jose Mourinho with limited central options ahead of Tuesday’s match at the Santiago Bernabéu, with Federico Valverde the only established central midfielder confirmed as fully available.
Mourinho has acknowledged the midfield problem, telling reporters: “I don’t know if [Tchouaméni] will even be ready for the match against Inter because next Tuesday, in midfield, we will certainly have a problem with the suspensions of Guler, Bernardo Silva, and Camavinga.”
Which Real Madrid midfielders are suspended for Inter Milan clash?
Arda Güler, Eduardo Camavinga and Bernardo Silva are all suspended for Matchday 1 of the 2026–27 Champions League after receiving red cards in last season’s competition. Güler and Camavinga were sent off in Real Madrid’s quarter-final second leg against Bayern Munich.
Silva was dismissed while playing for Manchester City in their round-of-16 second leg against Real Madrid. Under UEFA regulations, red-card suspensions from one Champions League campaign carry over to the next season.
Meaning all three will miss the opening league-phase match. The suspensions apply only to Matchday 1, so Güler, Camavinga and Silva should be available for Real Madrid’s away fixture against Roma on Matchday 2.
Provided they avoid any further disciplinary issues.
Aurélien Tchouaméni's injury status and expected return date for Real Madrid
Tchouaméni has not featured this season due to a muscle complaint and is listed as doubtful for the Inter fixture. Mourinho has urged caution over the French midfielder's return, saying,
"With Tchouaméni, we have to control emotions… I prefer to wait a bit," according to Diario AS.
Some reports suggest mid-September is a more realistic target for Tchouaméni's comeback, which would rule him out of the Inter match and potentially the Roma game.
Valverde is expected to anchor the midfield, with Jude Bellingham capable of dropping deeper to help cover the shortage. Trent Alexander-Arnold, who joined Real Madrid from Liverpool in 2025, is viewed by Mourinho's staff as an option in midfield.
His ability to move inside from right-back makes him a possible solution to the absences. Academy midfielder Jorge Cestero is another option, although he has limited first-team experience.
He made three appearances totalling 25 minutes during the 2025–26 season, with no goals or assists. Centre-back Dean Huijsen has also been mentioned as a possible emergency option in midfield because of his ability on the ball.
Although he is not a natural solution for the position. The absences leave Mourinho with fewer options in midfield for the Inter match, with Real Madrid potentially having to adjust their usual setup.
Real Madrid vs Inter Milan kick-off time and The Club's next Champions League Fixtures
Real Madrid hosts Inter Milan on Tuesday, 8 September 2026, with kickoff at 21:00 CEST at the Santiago Bernabéu in Madrid.
It is the first Champions League league-phase match for both clubs and Mourinho's first game in charge of Real Madrid in the competition since returning to the club. Real Madrid then travel to face Roma on Matchday 2.
Güler, Camavinga, and Silva are expected to return from suspension. Tchouaméni's availability will depend on his recovery from injury.
