Why Is Arda Güler Not Playing for Real Madrid vs Inter Milan?

Arda Guler is not playing for Real Madrid against Inter Milan because he is suspended for the Champions League opener. The Turkish midfielder is serving a one-match European ban carried over from last season after being sent off against Bayern Munich. His absence is therefore not related to an injury, and he is unavailable for Real Madrid’s first Champions League league-phase fixture of the 2026/27 campaign. The main reason Arda Guler is not playing against Inter is a one-match suspension.

Why Is Arda Guler Not Playing Against Inter?

The Turkish international was sent off during Real Madrid's Champions League quarter-final second leg against Bayern Munich in April. He received a second yellow card, resulting in a red card and a subsequent suspension. Because the ban was not served before Real Madrid's Champions League campaign ended last season, it has carried over to the opening match of the new European campaign.

That means Guler is unavailable when Real Madrid face Inter Milan at the Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday, September 8. UEFA's official Matchday 1 team-news listing confirms the midfielder among Madrid's suspended players.

The Real Madrid attacking midfielder was shown a red card after receiving two yellow cards during Real Madrid's Champions League quarter-final second leg against Bayern Munich. The incident occurred late in the match, with Guler among the Madrid players who received disciplinary punishment during the tie. His suspension consequently carries into the next Champions League campaign. Real Madrid's official match report confirms the quarter-final ended in a 4-3 defeat to Bayern, although Real Madrid had already been eliminated from the competition following the result.