Jose Mourinho began his second tenure at Real Madrid with a narrow 2-1 victory over his former club, Inter Milan, in their Champions League opener on Tuesday. The match at the Santiago Bernabeu witnessed a tense battle, with Madrid capitalizing on two costly Inter errors in the first half to establish a crucial lead.
The Spanish giants, who hold a record 15 European Cup titles, took the lead through Kylian Mbappe and Fede Valverde, both goals stemming from defensive lapses by the Italian side. Despite a determined response in the second half, including a goal from Carlos Augusto for Inter, the visitors were unable to find an equalizer, allowing Madrid to hold on for the win.
This encounter carried additional significance as the Santiago Bernabeu was the site of Mourinho’s previous Champions League triumph with Inter in 2010. That victory marked the last European success for both the coach and the club before he departed to begin his first spell with Los Blancos.
Mourinho’s Return Sparks Optimism Amid Challenges
Following two trophyless seasons and disappointing early exits from European competitions, Real Madrid’s president, Florentino Perez, reinstated Mourinho with hopes of reviving the club’s fortunes. The Portuguese coach’s side responded positively after suffering their first defeat of the season in La Liga against Real Betis just days earlier.
Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois played a pivotal role in maintaining Madrid’s lead, producing several key saves to deny Inter’s forwards, including Marcus Thuram and Lautaro Martinez, who relentlessly tested the defense. Despite Inter’s energetic attacking start, their defensive mistakes and missed chances ultimately cost them dearly.
The match’s defining moment came in the 14th minute, setting the tone for a fiercely contested fixture where experience and composure under pressure proved decisive. Mourinho’s Real Madrid demonstrated resilience and tactical discipline, signaling their intent to make a strong impact in this season’s Champions League campaign.