Europe’s biggest club competition is officially back, and the Champions League league phase kicks off Tuesday with a slate that instantly reminds you why this tournament sits above everything else in soccer. Real Madrid is hosting Inter Milan in a Bernabeu rematch that’s bringing back all the memories of last season’s knockout drama. This isn’t just another game, it’s the game of the day, setting the stage for what promises to be an insane season.
Guler’s Unstoppable Surge Under Mourinho
If you haven’t been watching the early season, you might have missed Real Madrid’s Arda Guler absolutely tearing it up. Our experts are already calling him a somewhat surprising early-season winner under Jose Mourinho’s system. This kid is only 21 years old, but he’s already seeing notably more minutes than Brahim Diaz or Yan Diomande as the crucial fourth attacker in that 4-2-3-1 formation. And here’s the kicker: Guler has created a mind-blowing 19 chances so far this season, which is the most of *any* player across Europe’s top five leagues. Think about that for a second. Nineteen chances. That’s not just good, that’s game-changing stuff from a young talent, and it’s a huge reason Real Madrid looks ready to make a serious run from Matchday 1.
Mbappé’s Path to Redemption and Mourinho’s Bernabeu Return
Tuesday is a massive, massive day at the Bernabeu, and it’s not just about Guler’s incredible form. All eyes will undoubtedly be on Kylian Mbappé, who has been absolutely on fire with four goals in his first four LaLiga games. However, he’s also looking to bounce back after missing a crucial penalty against Real Betis over the weekend. What better stage to do it than the Champions League opener against Inter? This match also marks the highly anticipated comeback of Jose Mourinho at the Bernabeu, going head-to-head against his former Italian team and his former player, Cristian Chivu, who now leads the Nerazzurri. Our expert Francesco Porzio is spot on: these are precisely the kinds of high-pressure games where Mbappé tends to shine. He’s got something to prove, a missed penalty to erase, and the entire soccer world is watching. Expect absolute fireworks.
This first matchweek stretches across three days, Tuesday through Thursday, with six matches apiece as all 36 clubs in the expanded league phase begin their eight-game round robin toward the knockout playoffs. It’s a brand new format built specifically for chaos and drama in equal measure, and Matchday 1 is absolutely setting that tone. The expert prediction for this epic clash? Real Madrid 3, Inter 1. If that holds true, Real Madrid will make an undeniable statement right out of the gate in Europe’s biggest club competition. You don’t want to miss a second of this one, it’s going to be wild!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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