Eight Italy hopefuls prepare for Champions League opening matches

The 2026-27 Champions League season begins Tuesday with six matches featuring several Italy internationals and prospects. Inter travels to the Santiago Bernabeu to face Real Madrid, where Alessandro Bastoni and Nicolo Barella are expected to start, while Pio Esposito may appear as a substitute. Federico Dimarco remains in Milan due to a knee injury. Earlier in the day, Nicolo Tresoldi is set to start for Club Brugge against Aston Villa at 17.45 BST. Later, Gianluigi Donnarumma is expected in goal for Manchester City's away match against Porto. Borussia Dortmund also enters the competition, with Luca Reggiani, Filippo Mane, and Samuele Inacio in contention for playing time against Villarreal. These fixtures represent the first set of matches in the expanded tournament schedule.

• 9:10 AMYahoo Sports — Eight Italy hopefuls to watch in Tuesday’s Champions League matches