Without Guler and Bernardo: can Mourinho's snipers find a gap in Inter on Champions League night?

Antonio Romero confirmed on "El Larguero" on "Cadena SER" radio that Real Madrid will face Inter without Turkey's Arda Guler and Portugal's Bernardo Silva, both suspended, forcing Mourinho into direct changes in midfield.

Losing the pair is a heavy blow for the Portuguese coach. They rank among his most involved and trusted players this season, and their absence means he must redraw the team's map on the first of the Champions League nights.

Romero reckons the biggest change will involve England star Jude Bellingham, tipped to drop back a step and fill the gap in midfield.

Romero said: "It's natural for Bellingham to drop back a little", pointing to the weight of the occasion behind the decision. "It's a very important match, it's the team's first appearance in the Champions League, which is the ultimate goal for the big clubs in Europe. In the Champions League, there's no room for experimentation".

Other options exist. Real could field recent signing Sergio Martinez or push Alexander-Arnold into midfield. Yet the preference stays with Bellingham, whatever his physical condition.

"He is at peak physical fitness", Romero added. "He looked a little tired in the last match, and that is natural because he puts in a great deal of effort for Mbappe, Vinicius and all his teammates".

Inter Milan, by contrast, arrive with morale sky-high. Analyst Bruno Alimani noted on the same programme that the Nerazzurri are "one of only two teams in Italy to have won all three of their matches" this season.

The secret behind that start, Alimani believes, lies in a solid core that carried the team to two finals in the last four years. Bastoni, Barella, Lautaro Martinez and Calhanoglu remain the spine. A recent morale-boosting win over Napoli has only sharpened the mood.

For all Inter's stability, Alemany sees a clear decline in the Italian side's backline.

He said: "I think their level has dropped slightly, especially in goalkeeping and defence. Yann Sommer has left, but Josep Martinez is there, though he is not the first-choice keeper for a team competing in the Champions League."

Defence tells a similar story. "In defence, it is true that they signed players such as Akanji and Stones, both of whom left Manchester City under less than ideal circumstances," he added.

Attack is another matter entirely. Alemany stressed the momentum they carry into the game: "Lautaro scored two goals in the last match, and they are coming off a thrilling win over Napoli, which means they will be in high spirits."