Real Madrid News
Real Madrid’s Dumfries opens up on facing former club Inter Milan: ‘A very special match’
Real Madrid and Inter Milan produced a thrilling and dramatic contest at the Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday night, with the hosts eventually securing a 2-1 victory in their opening UEFA Champions League league-phase fixture.
First half goals from Kylian Mbappe and Federico Valverde proved to be enough for Los Blancos, although Inter put up an excellent fight and will feel unlucky to have returned with nothing to show for their efforts.
As for Real Madrid, they had enough chances to win by a more comfortable margin, but found themselves under pressure during the final stages, especially after spurning several goalscoring opportunities, while Inter pulled a goal back.
A special night for Dumfries
That assessment was shared by Jose Mourinho after the match, while summer signing Denzel Dumfries also acknowledged the difficulties Real Madrid faced against his former club.
For Dumfries, the evening was particularly meaningful because of his five years with the Nerazzurri before he joined the Merengues this past summer.
“It was a very special match for me. I met up with all my friends again, the people I played with for five years. I love them all very much, but in the end I’m happy that we won,” he said, as quoted by Defensa Central.
The Dutchman also recognised the quality of the opposition.
“I’d say very well. I know Inter’s qualities. They have very strong players, but so do we. It was an incredible game. I think we deserved it, but Inter are undoubtedly a very strong team,” he added.
Dumfries’ comments underlined the challenge Mourinho’s side faced, particularly with Madrid missing several important midfielders.
Settling in well
Dumfries joined Real Madrid as a replacement for former captain Dani Carvajal, who left the club as a free agent at the end of the last season.
The 30-year-old right-back was signed for a fee of €20 million at the request of Mourinho and has, so far, settled in nicely at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The Netherlands international has started four of Real Madrid’s five matches so far in the 2026/27 season, suggesting that he might be ahead of Trent Alexander-Arnold in the pecking order under Mourinho.
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.
