Real Madrid will begin their 2026/27 UEFA Champions League adventure with an epic clash against Seria A giant Inter Milan on September 8.
Having failed to go beyond the quarter-final stages last season, Madrid are seeking to win silverware on the biggest stage this season.
However, Jose Mourinho will be without some big names when they face Milan at the Santiago Bernebeu. As reported by Mundo Deportivo, Arda Guler, Eduardo Camavinga and Bernardo Silva are all suspended after being sent off in their final Champions League appearances of the previous campaign.
UEFA carries over red-card suspensions from one season to the next, even though yellow cards are wiped, meaning Mourinho currently cannot count on any of the three unless an exceptional pardon is granted.
Guler and Camavinga were both sent off for two yellow cards in Real Madrid’s Champions League quarter-final second leg against Bayern Munich.
Though there were concern Guler could receive a longer suspension, UEFA ultimately handed him a one-match ban, the same punishment given to Camavinga.
Bernardo Silva joined Real Madrid this summer. (Photo By Oscar J. Barroso/Europa Press via Getty Images)
Meanwhile, Bernardo Silva was sent off while playing for Manchester City in the second leg of the Champions League Round of 16, ironically against Real Madrid.
Silva was shown a straight red card after deliberately preventing a goal with his hand.
The incident resulted in a penalty, which Vinicius Jr. converted, while the veteran midfielder received the suspension that he now carries into the new European campaign.
Mourinho will therefore have to begin his Champions League campaign without three important midfielders when Inter visit the Santiago Bernabeu.
