Eight Italy hopefuls to keep an eye on in Tuesday’s Champions League matches

Champions League football gets underway for the 2026-27 season on Tuesday evening, and ahead of kick-off at 17.45 BST, here is a look at the eight Italy hopefuls that could be involved in European action tonight.

Six Champions League matches will be played on Tuesday night, including the headline fixture between 15-time champions Real Madrid and reigning Serie A and Coppa Italia holders Inter at the Santiago Bernabeu.

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Another six matches will be played on Wednesday evening, including Napoli's visit from reigning Premier League champions and last season's finalists Arsenal, and Roma's visit trip to Turkey to take on Fenerbahce. Newcomers Como and their match against RB Leipzig will be among the six games to be played on Thursday night.

MILAN, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 05: Nicolo Barella of Internazionale controls the ball during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and SSC Napoli at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on September 05, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Four of the six games being played on Tuesday evening could have some form of Italian representation.

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Cristian Chivu is expected to field two Italy internationals in Alessandro Bastoni and Nicolo Barella against Real Madrid, whilst Pio Esposito is likely to feature from the substitutes bench. Regular Italy wideman Federico Dimarco would normally be involved as well, but he has been left in Milan after struggling with pain in his knee in the build-up to the Madrid clash.

Before then, though, Nicolo Tresoldi, still eligible to represent either Germany or Italy at senior international level, is expected to start when Club Brugge host Aston Villa at 17.45 BST.

BRUGES, BELGIUM – SEPTEMBER 18: Nicolo Tresoldi of Club Brugge shoots on goal in front of Eric Dier of AS Monaco during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD1 match between Club Brugge KV and AS Monaco at Jan Breydelstadion on September 18, 2025 in Bruges, Belgium. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)

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Elsewhere, Italy no.1 Gianluigi Donnarumma is expected to start when Manchester City take on Porto away from home at 20.00 BST.

Borussia Dortmund are also in action on Tuesday evening, which means there is the potential for three Italy youngsters to feature with Luca Reggiani, Filippo Mane and Samuele Inacio. Pre-match reports suggest that there is a chance Mane is included in Niko Kovac's starting XI against Villarreal on Tuesday evening.

LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 09: Martin Odegaard of Arsenal is challenged by Filippo Mane of Borussia Dortmund during the pre-season friendly match between Arsenal FC and Borussia Dortmund at Emirates Stadium on August 09, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

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Which Italy hopefuls could feature in the Champions League on Tuesday?

Club Brugge vs. Aston Villa (17.45 BST)

Nicolo Tresoldi (Club Brugge)

Porto vs. Manchester City (20.00 BST)

Gianluigi Donnarumma (Man City)

HONG KONG, CHINA – AUGUST 1: Goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of Manchester City in action during the Manchester City v Inter Milan – Pre-Season Friendly at Kai Tak Stadium on August 1, 2026 in Hong Kong, China. (Photo by Yu Chun Christopher Wong/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)

Real Madrid vs. Inter (20.00 BST)

Alessandro Bastoni, Nicolo Barella, Pio Esposito (Inter)

* Federico Dimarco not in the matchday squad through injury

Borussia Dortmund vs. Villarreal (20.00 BST)

Luca Reggiani, Filippo Mane, Samuele Inacio (Dortmund)

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