Mourinho gets three players back in a squad marked by eight absences

Real Madrid C.F.

The return of the three players gives the coach more options from the bench for a match in which Real Madrid arrive with eight absences. Militao, Mendy, Rodrygo and Asencio remain injured, while Camavinga, Bernardo Silva and Güler cannot play due to suspension.

They are joined by Lunin, who is also not available. The goalkeeper missed the final training session before the game due to a flu-like illness and, in the end, has not managed to recover in time.

Mourinho turns his attention back to Castilla

The sheer number of absences has forced Mourinho to complete the squad with four players from the reserve team. Goalkeepers Sergio Mestre and Javi Navarro, defender Mario Rivas and midfielder Cestero are part of the party heading to face Inter.

The situation is especially delicate in midfield. Fede Valverde is the only midfielder available to start the match, having been at the coach's disposal, while the newly recovered Tchouaméni and Thiago Pitarch return now after their respective injuries. The scenario even opens the possibility of Cestero getting options to come into the starting XI.

The squad is made up of Courtois, Sergio Mestre and Javi Navarro in goal; Huijsen, Trent, Konaté, Cucurella, Carreras, Rüdiger, Dumfries and Mario Rivas in defence; Bellingham, Valverde, Tchouaméni, Thiago Pitarch and Cestero in midfield; and Vinicius, Endrick, Mbappé, Espí, Brahim and Diomande as attackers.