Real Madrid could lose three midfielders for Inter clash as bans carry over

Real Madrid could begin their Champions League campaign without Arda Güler, Eduardo Camavinga and Bernardo Silva. All three are expected to serve suspensions resulting from red cards received during last season’s competition.

The first two dismissals came in April’s second leg against Bayern Munich. Camavinga was sent off in the 86th minute, while Güler received his second yellow card in added time. Madrid were eliminated, leaving neither player with another match in which to serve the automatic ban.

Bernardo Silva’s situation comes with a considerable twist. The Portuguese midfielder was shown a straight red card while representing Manchester City against Real Madrid. He deliberately handled Vinícius Júnior’s goal-bound effort, conceding a penalty that the Brazilian subsequently converted.

Bernardo has since changed clubs, but the suspension has followed him. Unless UEFA’s disciplinary bodies issue an exceptional decision, his first Champions League match as a Real Madrid player will be missed because of an offence committed against Real Madrid.

UEFA regulations distinguish between ordinary cautions and suspensions caused by dismissals. Individual yellow cards expire at the end of a season, while unserved red-card suspensions can be carried forward to the player’s next eligible UEFA club fixture.

Madrid will host Inter at the Santiago Bernabéu on 8 September at 9:00pm. Losing three midfield options would restrict José Mourinho’s room for manoeuvre, particularly as his team will visit Real Betis only four days earlier.

The club have not yet released an official update on the players’ availability. At present, however, Güler, Camavinga and Bernardo are all expected to miss the Champions League opener.