Serie A side Inter open their Champions League campaign today, as they take on Real Madrid in the Spanish capital in the first game.

The Nerazzurri come into the game at the back of three consecutive league wins. The most thrilling one came at the weekend, as they came back from 2-0 down to beat Napoli, with Lautaro Martinez scoring a late winner.

The game against Real Madrid will be a different challenge. Cristian Chivu did try to rotate his squad against Napoli and his aim will be to go full-strength against Jose Mourinho’s side.

Gianluca Di Marzio reports quite the same, noting that Hakan Calhanoglu should start against Real Madrid. Piotr Zielinski did a decent job in his place at the weekend, with Petar Sucic also having started. Today, Curtis Jones is expected to make his start for the Croatian, taking the Croatian’s place.

Nicolo Barella will keep his spot and so will Manuel Akanji, Yann Bisseck and Alessandro Bastoni in a fixed back three.

The same doesn’t hold true for Andy Diouf, who has impressed in a wing-back role, especially as he cuts inside and adds an extra man in midfield. Luis Henrique is likely to take his place, with Federico Dimarco out due to a fitness issue.

That is why the left wing-back role would be open for Carlos Augusto, who did well in the second half against Napoli.

Marcus Thuram will return to the side too. He was on the bench against the Partenopei, with Francesco Pio Esposito set to be among the subs.

Expected Inter XI: J. Martinez; Bisseck, Akanji, Bastoni; Luis Henrique, Barella, Çalhanoglu, Jones, Carlos Augusto; Lautaro Martinez, Thuram