It was almost like Inter versus sprinters. It was hard to fathom who were the home team.

Jose Mourinho's Real Madrid secured a narrow 2-1 victory over his former side Inter Milan in a high-octane Champions League opener on Tuesday.

Speaking at a press conference ahead of Inter Milan’s Champions League clash with Real Madrid tonight, Martinez was asked about Alvarez’s situation after the Argentine forward expressed his desire to leave Atletico Madrid during the transfer window.

When Jose Mourinho left Inter Milan for Real Madrid in the summer of 2010, he was at the peak of his powers. He had just guided the Nerazzurri to a historic treble – clinching Serie A, lifting the Coppa Italia, and beating Bayern Munich 2-0 in the Champions League final at the Santiago Bernabeu. Days later, his move to Madrid was finalised.

Lautaro Martinez scored in the 91st minute as Inter Milan rallied from two goals down to secure a stunning 3-2 home Serie A victory over Napoli on Saturday, continuing their 100% start to their title defence.

Martinez was reportedly among Barcelona’s options after the Catalan club’s pursuit of Julian Alvarez stalled. However, despite interest from one of Europe’s biggest clubs, the Inter star chose to remain in Italy.

Hakan Calhanoglu's early strike earned Inter Milan a 1-0 win at Cagliari on Sunday as they continued a perfect start to their Serie A title defence, while Como edged Napoli 2-1 to spoil Massimiliano Allegri's home debut.

The first matches in this season's league phase will be played between Tuesday, September 8 and Thursday, September 10, with the final games in late January. UEFA is expected to announce the full fixture schedule on Saturday.

Inter Milan kicked off the defence of their Serie A title in emphatic fashion on Saturday, cruising to a 4-1 home victory over promoted Monza.

Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones became the third Englishman to join Inter Milan in as many weeks on Friday.

England centre-back John Stones has joined Inter Milan on a free transfer after spending 10 years with Manchester City, the Italian champions announced on Thursday.

Inter Milan won the Italian Cup on Wednesday after beating Lazio 2-0 and completing a domestic double alongside their 21st Serie A title.

Inter Milan won their third Serie A title in six seasons on Sunday thanks to a comfortable 2-0 win over Parma at a jubilant San Siro.

Inter Milan reached the Italian Cup final on Tuesday after coming back from two goals down to win 3-2 and go through by the same scoreline on aggregate.

English and Italian football giants Manchester City, Chelsea, Inter Milan and Juventus will square up for pre-season friendlies in Hong Kong in August, the clubs announced on Tuesday.

With six matches remaining in the season Inter now have a near-unassailable lead at the top of the table.

For the second successive season, Serie A has one club remaining in the last 16 of the Champions League as Italian football struggles to compete in Europe's premier club competition and risks falling even further behind.

Bodo/Glimt completed the greatest achievement in the Norwegian minnows' history on Tuesday by winning 2-1 at Inter Milan and reaching the last 16 of the Champions League, 5-2 on aggregate.

Serie A referee designator Gianluca Rocchi said referee Federico La Penna was "clearly wrong" in showing Juventus defender Pierre Kalulu a second yellow card during Saturday's loss at Inter Milan, and apologised over the incident.

Inter Milan roared back from two goals down to hammer promoted Pisa 6-2 on Friday and move six points clear at the top of Serie A.