Real Madrid News
Confirmed: Real Madrid starting lineup against Inter Milan – Trent in midfield
Real Madrid will take on Inter Milan in their first UEFA Champions League game of the 2026/27 season later tonight at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The Merengues will be eager to bounce back to winning ways after the 1-0 defeat to Real Betis and make a positive start to their European campaign.
Trent Alexander-Arnold plays in midfield
Ahead of kickoff, manager Jose Mourinho has announced the starting lineup that Real Madrid will play with against Cristian Chivu’s Inter Milan.
And, the biggest highlight is that right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold starts in midfield alongside captain Federico Valverde to form the double pivot.
With Bernardo Silva, Eduardo Camavinga, and Arda Guler suspended and Aurelien Tchouameni only recently returning from injury, Mourinho has decided to use the English right-back as a makeshift midfielder, a role which the ex-Liverpool man is familiar with.
Meanwhile, Denzel Dumfries starts at right-back against his former club, while new signing and Ballon d’Or nominee Marc Cucurella continues on the left.
Ibrahima Konate and Dean Huijsen continue as the two centre-backs shielding Thibaut Courtois in goal, meaning Antonio Rudiger is on the bench yet again.
Wait continues for Diomande
With Guler suspended, it seemed like the time had arrived for Real Madrid’s marquee summer signing Yan Diomande to make his first start for the team.
However, Mourinho has once again opted not to thrust the 19-year-old winger into the lineup, opting to go with Brahim Diaz on the right flank.
Jude Bellingham continues in the No. 10 role as usual, while Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr. complete the rest of the attacking unit for the home team.
📋 ¡Nuestro XI inicial!
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) September 8, 2026
✅ Our starting XI!
🆚 @Inter_es pic.twitter.com/RCeHf8Frfv
Real Madrid youngster Endrick continues to attract interest from several clubs ahead of another potential loan move in the upcoming January transfer window.
The latest side considering a move for the Brazilian forward is Aston Villa.
Indeed, according to reports relayed by Bernabeu Digital, the Premier League club are interested in signing the Real Madrid striker on loan in January.
No minutes for Endrick
Endrick has had very limited opportunities under Jose Mourinho this season. Across Real Madrid’s nine matches in La Liga and the UEFA Champions League, the Brazilian has played just four minutes, coming on in the 86th minute against Elche.
Such limited playing time has left the young forward struggling to gain the minutes and experience needed to develop his talent at Real Madrid.
As such, another loan move, like last January when he left for Olympique Lyon, could offer him a chance to play more regularly and continue his progression.
Aston Villa, managed by Unai Emery, have now emerged as an interested party to acquire the Brazilian international’s services on loan for the second half of the season.
AC Milan also interested in Endrick
Howver, Aston Villa are not the only club monitoring Endrick’s situation. AC Milan have also renewed their interest in the Brazilian forward.
The Rossoneri already held an interest in the 20-year-old forward during the summer transfer window and are knocking on the doors once again now.
In fact, some reports in Italy even go on to suggest that the youngster is ready to pounce on the opportunity to sign for the Serie A giants.
For now, however, there have been no concrete developments or formal approaches from any interested club.
Real Madrid are understood to be open to allowing Endrick to leave on loan, but they are not considering a permanent sale as they still have a lot of faith in the promising attacker whom they signed from Palmeiras.
With Aston Villa and AC Milan both interested, the coming months could prove important in determining where the young Brazilian will continue his development.
