Diomande, Bellingham start in a 4-2-3-1: How Real Madrid can line up against Inter Milan | OneFootball

Following their first loss of the season against Real Betis, Real Madrid face a tough test tonight as they take on Inter Milan at the Santiago Bernabeu in their UEFA Champions League opener.

The Nerazzurri are first of a tricky set of opponents for the Merengues in the league phase of Europe’s premier competition and will pose a monumental challenge to Jose Mourinho and his men.

After all, the Serie A champions have won each of their three matches this season, with their latest game ending in a 3-2 comeback win over Napoli.

The fact that Real Madrid go into the game with some notable absences makes the task even harder, given as Mourinho will be unable to call upon Arda Guler, Bernardo Silva, and Eduardo Camavinga through suspensions.

Meanwhile, Raul Asencio, Eder Militao, and Rodrygo remain unavailable through injuries, whereas Ferland Mendy has not been registered in the Champions League this season.

There is some positive news, though, with Endrick, Aurelien Tchouameni, and Thiago Pitarch recovering from their physical issues, which could lead them to making their comeback tonight, but not as starters.

With some major decisions to be made with regard to his personnel, here is how Mourinho could set out his Real Madrid lineup tonight at the Bernabeu.

Defence

Thibaut Courtois remains the undisputed starter in goal for Real Madrid and will be key to them getting off the mark in the Champions League this season.

As for the defence, Ibrahima Konate is seemingly ahead of Antonio Rudiger in the centre-back position and start again tonight. He will partner with Dean Huijsen, who has been a standout performer under Mourinho.

Set to face his former club. (Photo by David Balogh/Getty Images)

On the right side of the defence, Denzel Dumfries should get the nod against his former club, with Trent Alexander-Arnold likely being held back as a possible option in midfield.

World Cup winner Marc Cucurella will continue on the left, ahead of Alvaro Carreras, despite coming off with a minor physical concern against Betis.

Midfield

The midfield department is where things get tricky for Mourinho and Real Madrid, given that Bernardo Silva, Eduardo Camavinga, and Arda Guler are unavailable and Aurelien Tchouameni is not ready to start matches.

Federico Valverde is an obvious starter in one of the two positions, and as for his partner, Mourinho has options like using Trent in midfield or turning to youngster Jorge Cestero.

But the likeliest route that the Portuguese tactician will take is to pull Jude Bellingham into a deeper position for tonight’s game, despite the England superstar’s effectiveness as a No. 10 in the first few matches.

Bellingham to operate in a deeper role? (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

With Bellingham moving into the double pivot and Guler unavailable, it should pave the way for Brahim Diaz to slot in as the central attacking midfielder for Los Blancos.

Attack

This could finally turn out to be the night that Real Madrid’s most expensive signing of the summer, Yan Diomande, makes his first start for the club.

The Ivorian international has so far only featured off the bench, with Mourinho preferring Guler on the right. But with the Turkish star suspended and Brahim operating centrally, the door is open for Diomande to start.

Meanwhile, Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr. will retain their respective places in the Real Madrid attacking line and hope to make a mark after failing to do so at the weekend.