Official lineups: Chivu hands Jones first start against Madrid

The wait is over. Cristian Chivu has revealed his hand for the Champions League opener at the Bernabéu, with Curtis Jones earning a massive vote of confidence.

The Curtis Jones gamble

The headline of the night comes from the heart of the pitch. Cristian Chivu has chosen to throw Curtis Jones into the lion's den for his first Inter start, rewarding the Englishman for his game-changing cameo against Napoli. According to the official team sheet, Jones will occupy the central midfield role alongside Hakan Çalhanoğlu and Nicolò Barella, a clear sign that Inter intends to fight for possession in the Spanish capital. It is a bold move that shows Chivu’s faith in the new arrivals, prioritizing Jones’s energy and ball progression against a Madrid side that, despite its injuries, remains lethal in transition.

Replacing Dimarco and the Bisseck confirmation

With Federico Dimarco ruled out through a knee injury, the left flank was the biggest question mark. Chivu has opted for the defensive solidity of Carlos Augusto to manage the threat of Vinícius Júnior. On the opposite wing, Andy Diouf keeps his place after his blistering start to the season. The defensive trio also sees a significant call: Yann Bisseck starts centrally, flanked by Alessandro Bastoni and Benjamin Pavard. This setup confirms that Chivu wants a backline capable of physically competing with Kylian Mbappé while maintaining the technical quality to build play from under pressure.

Denzel’s reunion and Mou’s makeshift midfield

Across the pitch, the narrative is just as thick. Denzel Dumfries starts at right-back for Real Madrid, facing off against his former teammates for the first time since his summer departure. As reported by the confirmed lineups, Jose Mourinho has been forced into a tactical shift due to his suspension and injury crisis, deploying Trent Alexander-Arnold in a hybrid midfield role alongside Fede Valverde and Jude Bellingham. It is a star-studded 4-3-3 that lacks a traditional anchor, which might be exactly the opening Çalhanoğlu needs to dictate the rhythm of the game.

The Lautaro-Thuram double act

Leading the line, there were no surprises. The Capocannoniere Lautaro Martínez and Marcus Thuram start together, looking to replicate the clinical form they showed in the comeback win over Napoli. With Lautaro coming off a brace and Thuram proving to be the ultimate target man, Inter has the firepower to hurt a Madrid defense missing Éder Militão. Chivu has kept Francesco Pio Esposito on the bench as a primary weapon, fresh off his contract renewal. The stage is set at the Bernabéu, and the two stars on our chest have never felt more significant than they do tonight.

The ForzaIM Take

This is a lineup built for bravery. Starting Curtis Jones shows that Chivu isn't going to Madrid to park the bus; he wants to dominate the middle of the park. My only concern is Carlos Augusto’s lack of offensive overlap compared to Dimarco, but against Vini Jr., defensive discipline is the priority. If Jones can settle early and Bisseck keeps Mbappé’s space limited, we aren't just here to participate—we're here to take three points back to Milano.

Does the inclusion of Curtis Jones in the starting XI give Inter the edge in the midfield battle against Mourinho's makeshift setup?

Forza Inter sempre!