Real Madrid were beaten 1-0 by Real Betis in their last La Liga encounter, and with a few days to rest and respond, they must battle a very familiar group stage opponent in the Champions League in Inter Milan, who have proven over the past five years that they have what it takes to go all the way in the competition.
Here is a predicted starting 11 for Jose Mourinho as he prepares his wounded Real Madrid, coming off their first defeat since his return, to face the team he onc won the treble with more than a decade ago before moving to Madrid the first time.
Defense: GK Thibaut Courtois - LB Marc Cucurella - CB Dean Huijsen - CB Ibrahima Konate - RB Denzel Dumfries
The only real doubt in the starting 11 for Real Madrid defensively is right back, and while his incredible performance against Malaga should have made it clear to Jose Mourinho that Trent Alexander-Arnold is his best option, he went right back to Denzel Dumfries in a bigger game last Friday night against Real Betis. But even if Jose is switching back to Trent after Dumfries played pretty poorly in the loss to the Verdiblancos, he showed by starting Brahim Diaz against his childhood club Malaga that he loves a good revenge storyline. And Dumfries battling Inter Milan again is a story Mourinho will love.
Midfield: CM Trent Alexander-Arnold - CM Fede Valverde - AM Jude Bellingham
Fede Valverde is on a short leash and could be the one switched instead of Eduardo Camavinga for Bernardo Silva, as he was even worse than the under fire Frenchman against Real Betis. No matter what, Bernardo Silva is Real Madrid's best starting center midfielder in a double pivot right now, and as Real wait for a fully fit Aurelien Tchouameni, he and Jude Bellingham are Jose's only untouchables in the middle of the park. But Silva is out, and Real only have Fede and Jude as options in midfield. So someone who is not a midfielder will have to step up to the midfield. Enter Trent, who is passed over by Dumfries at right back but has a big chance to be the man in the middle next to Fede vs. Inter.
Attack: LW Vinicius Junior - ST Kylian Mbappe - RW Yan Diomande
Arda Guler has made the right wing his home, and in terms of the impact he has made on each and every game, the Turkish international has a real argument for being the best player on Real Madrid to start the season, flourishing to a degree under Jose Mourinho greater than anticipated. These three are all nailed on starters each week, though, in truth, Kylian Mbappe's hold would be the most tenuous in a real meritocracy. The problem is that Guler is suspended against Inter Milan after the carryover from the last season, so Yan Diomande has his first big chance to prove to Madridistas he is ready to push Arda and start.
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