Real Madrid will face a demanding and highly intriguing Champions League league phase in 2026/27, with Jose Mourinho set to come up against several familiar opponents from his managerial past.
The Spanish giants, once again among the favourites to win Europe’s biggest club competition, have been handed a varied set of opponents following the draw.
Mourinho’s most eye-catching reunion will come against Inter Milan, the club he guided to Champions League glory during his spell in Italy.
Inter will visit the Santiago Bernabéu, while Real Madrid will also travel to face Arsenal in another heavyweight fixture from Pot 1.
Fabio Capello’s verdict
The draw has already drawn praise from former Real Madrid manager Fabio Capello, who believes Mourinho has transformed the team after taking charge.
“The clash between Inter and José Mourinho’s Real Madrid will be particularly fascinating; they have impressed me so far this season.
Capello has shared his opinion on Real Madrid’s UCL draw. (Photo by Jurij Kodrun/Getty Images)
“Compared to last year, it seems to me that Mourinho has already sorted out the problems: now the Whites are playing as a team, and the immense quality of Vinicius, Mbappe, Bellingham and the rest is really coming to the fore.
“If he stays at the helm, Madrid will be the team to beat,” the Italian admitted in his column in La Gazzetta dello Sport (h/t AS).
Real Madrid’s Champions League league-phase draw
Real Madrid entered the draw as a Pot 1 team alongside Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich, Liverpool, Inter Milan, Manchester City, Arsenal, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid.
Their two opponents from that group are Inter Milan at home and Arsenal away.
From Pot 2, Mourinho’s side will host PSV before travelling to Italy to face AS Roma, a match that represents another reunion for the Portuguese coach, who previously managed the Serie A club.
The Pot 3 draw has given Real Madrid a home game against RB Leipzig and an away trip to Shakhtar, while the final pair of fixtures will see LASK visit the Bernabéu and Real Madrid travel to face AEK.
The official fixture schedule, including match dates and kick-off times, is expected to be communicated on or before Saturday, August 29.
Mourinho reunites with several former teams
Inter Milan and Roma are not just opponents on Real Madrid’s Champions League schedule, as both clubs represent important chapters in Mourinho’s managerial career.
The Inter meeting, in particular, carries considerable historical weight.
Mourinho remains closely associated with the club following his Champions League success there, making his return to face the Nerazzurri one of the standout narratives of the league phase.
Roma will provide another familiar setting, albeit away from home, while Arsenal also offers a major test for a Real Madrid side expected to challenge at the highest level.
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