Real Madrid opened their Champions League campaign with a 2-1 victory over Inter at the Santiago Bernabeu, but the performance raised as many questions as the result answered. Kylian Mbappe scored to equal Raul's all-time Champions League record of 71 goals, and Federico Valverde added the second after Inter goalkeeper Josep Martinez's costly error handed Madrid an early cushion. The win was hard-earned rather than convincing, and Valverde himself admitted the squad ignored Jose Mourinho's tactical instructions in the second half, allowing Inter back into the contest before holding on.

Mourinho responded with characteristic defiance in his post-match comments, insisting he thrives on adversity, though he also moved to defend Vinicius Junior after the Brazilian was booed by sections of the Bernabeu crowd during a subdued display. Jude Bellingham was equally candid, blaming himself for missed chances that prevented a more comfortable margin.

Off the pitch, Mourinho's deployment of Trent Alexander-Arnold in midfield drew attention, with the manager offering a blunt verdict on the experiment following the match. The England international, now in his second season in Madrid, continues to divide opinion over his best position.

In LaLiga, Madrid sit third with nine points from four games, one point behind second-placed Deportivo Alaves. Mourinho's side host Rayo Vallecano on September 12, a fixture that offers a chance to build domestic momentum before attention turns to the first Madrid derby on September 20.