Real Madrid host Inter at the Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday evening, and the main issue is selection rather than suspensions. Madrid have no players suspended for the match, but Aurélien Tchouaméni and Endrick are both doubtful, with several other absences still hanging over the squad.
The fitness issues around Madrid
Tchouaméni has not featured this season because of a muscle complaint, and the uncertainty around him is obvious. Sports Mole’s preview desk put him down as doubtful with a muscle issue, and listed a possible return date of September 8 vs. Inter Milan.
Endrick is in a similar spot. He is doubtful with a muscle problem as well, after missing the opening three fixtures and making only 4 appearances this season for 133 minutes.
The longer-term absences are harder to ignore. Ferland Mendy could require surgery followed by a rehabilitation period of six to eight weeks. Éder Militão has been sidelined since suffering a hamstring injury against Alaves on April 21, while Rodrygo is not expected back until the early stages of 2027 after a serious knee injury in March. Raúl Asencio is also dealing with a separate issue in the same leg after an initial quadriceps problem.
Inter still ask a real question
Madrid's own recent run has been solid, with four wins and a draw in their last five, but Inter are not arriving as passengers. They have also taken 4 wins and a draw from their last five and have scored 9 in that spell, so Madrid's back line may still be tested even if the squad news is better than it first looks.
The headline is not that Madrid are short on quality. It is that they are heading into a Champions League opener with several players either out or doubtful, and the cleanest bit of news is the one suspension-free list for Tuesday night.
Written by Daniel Hartley with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 1 outlet. How we work →
