Jose Mourinho begins his latest Champions League campaign with Real Madrid against a familiar opponent Tuesday as Inter Milan visit the Santiago Bernabeu, 16 years after the Portuguese coach guided the Nerazzurri to European glory.
The meeting brings together two of Europe's biggest clubs, both looking to rebound from disappointing Champions League campaigns last season.
Real Madrid were eliminated by Bayern Munich in the quarterfinals, while Inter suffered a stunning playoff exit against Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt.
For Mourinho, the occasion carries added significance. He returns to the competition with a club chasing a record-extending 16th European Cup, while facing the team he led to the Champions League title in 2010.
Real's pursuit of another European crown has become more urgent after Paris Saint-Germain claimed the title last season. They have also been eliminated in the quarterfinals in each of the past two editions, leaving them determined to make a deeper run this time.
The path will not be easy.
Real face a demanding league-phase schedule that includes Arsenal, RB Leipzig, Roma and Shakhtar Donetsk, with the latter matchup taking place at Mourinho's former home, Stamford Bridge.
History suggests Real should be comfortable getting their European campaign off to a fast start. They have won 17 of their last 19 Champions League opening-day matches, including each of their last five. Their most recent defeat came against Shakhtar in 2020.
Mourinho's side also began the domestic season strongly, winning their first three La Liga matches against Espanyol, Real Sociedad and Malaga. But concerns over their consistency surfaced again Friday when they lost 1-0 to Real Betis.
Kylian Mbappe's missed penalty added to a frustrating night for Real, whose performance was criticized as overly selfish.
Inter arrive in Madrid with their own point to prove.
The Italian club have come closer than Real to winning Europe's premier competition since Real's 2024 triumph, reaching the final twice in their last four Champions League campaigns. But they remain unable to reproduce the success of Mourinho's historic 2009-10 team.
Inter's recent European record has also included some painful setbacks. They could take pride in their 1-0 defeat to Manchester City in the 2023 final, but two years later they suffered a heavy 5-0 loss to Paris Saint-Germain before being stunned by Bodo/Glimt in last season's playoffs.
Cristian Chivu was in charge for that 5-2 aggregate defeat, but his team responded domestically by winning both Serie A and the Coppa Italia, completing the club's first league and cup double since Mourinho's celebrated 2009-10 campaign.
Inter have also made another strong start to their title defense, winning all three of their Serie A matches against Monza, Cagliari and Napoli.
The victory over Napoli was particularly dramatic. Inter surrendered a two-goal lead before Lautaro Martinez scored in stoppage time to complete a 3-2 comeback.
Yet one statistic continues to work against them ahead of their trip to Madrid.
Inter have not beaten Real since 1998 and have lost their last four meetings. They have also failed to score in each of their last three defeats against Los Blancos.
Real will have to cope with a lengthy list of absences.
Eduardo Camavinga, Arda Guler and Bernardo Silva are suspended, while Aurelien Tchouameni is a major doubt because of muscular discomfort. His potential absence could force Jude Bellingham into a deeper midfield role alongside Federico Valverde.
Eder Militao, Rodrygo, Ferland Mendy and Thiago Pitarch are also unavailable, while Raul Asencio, Endrick and Marc Cucurella face fitness checks.
Inter, by comparison, have a much healthier squad. New signing Djed Spence is the only notable concern as he continues to rebuild his fitness following an unspecified injury.
Chivu could also make changes after his substitutes helped transform the match against Napoli.
Curtis Jones impressed after coming off the bench and has received praise from the Italian media, raising the possibility that he could replace Petar Sucic in the starting lineup.
Marcus Thuram is another candidate for a starting role after scoring Inter's equalizer against Napoli, potentially pushing Pio Esposito to the bench. Hakan Calhanoglu could also return to the XI at the expense of Piotr Zielinski.
