The 144 group stage matches of the Champions League have been officially revealed, promising an enthralling journey across Europe that will culminate in January, with 24 out of 36 teams progressing to the next phase. The draw itself was quite a spectacle, featuring Kaka pressing the pivotal button as names rapidly appeared on screen. For instance, Chelsea are set to host Benfica – prompting questions about the significance of such a fixture.
It`s a lot to digest! But don`t worry, we`re here to guide you through the excitement while we anticipate the full schedule release this Saturday. Which games, occurring between September and January, are absolutely unmissable? Here are our top eight selections:
1. Barcelona vs. Paris Saint-Germain
This encounter, essentially the Champions League final many desired (perhaps excluding Inter fans), should still be a clash of Europe`s top two teams. It promises a fascinating contrast: PSG`s inherent ability to dominate possession pitted against a Barcelona side that will press them as aggressively as any elite opponent. Furthermore, the individual battles will be captivating, particularly Lamine Yamal and Raphinha facing Achraf Hakimi and Nuno Mendes. This will undoubtedly be the premier game of the group stage and could very well serve as a precursor to the final itself.
2. Liverpool vs. Real Madrid
“Welcome home, Trent!” – though perhaps not. It`s difficult to imagine Trent Alexander-Arnold receiving a warm reception on his swift return to Anfield. This match will also provide Xabi Alonso with insight into what another potential career path might have been, had he not chosen to remain at Bayer Leverkusen for an additional year. By the time this game takes place, will his Madrid squad be performing as a perfectly synchronized unit? If not, could they risk being overwhelmed, much like they were when these two giants last met in the previous season`s group stage?
3. Napoli vs. Manchester City
Another treat for reunion enthusiasts, as Kevin De Bruyne revisits his former club. This game would be spicy enough on its own, but any match-up featuring Antonio Conte against Pep Guardiola typically guarantees a box office spectacle. It will also serve as a crucial indicator of just how competitive the reigning Italian champions might genuinely be. Unsurprisingly, Napoli has not looked the same team since Khvicha Kvaratskhelia departed mid-season, and it`s questionable whether De Bruyne`s available minutes, combined with Noa Lang, can adequately address that void.
4. Pafos vs. Bayern Munich
This is a quintessential Champions League fixture, pitting one of European football`s most celebrated names against a team that was virtually unknown a decade ago. And rightly so; Pafos FC was only established ten years ago following the merger of two local clubs. They`ve earned their place in the group stage through a demanding route, eliminating Maccabi Tel Aviv, Dynamo Kyiv, and Crvena zvezda. Their squad also features several familiar faces, including David Luiz, Ken Sema, and Mislav Orsic. Could they truly pull off an astonishing upset?
5. Kairat Almaty vs. Real Madrid
Could they, in fact, do it? Kairat Almaty, the easternmost team to ever participate in the Champions League, will mark the midpoint of Real Madrid`s arduous 8,000-mile midweek journey. They will be eager to capitalize on the four-hour time difference and the distinctly unfamiliar conditions that the world`s biggest club will face. While it seems almost impossible to conceive that stars like Vinicius Junior and Thibaut Courtois could be defeated by such a minnow, we all recall the stunning outcome when Real Madrid previously hosted Sheriff Tiraspol.
6. Arsenal vs. Olympiacos
Okay, so this particular fixture might not be quite as saturated with superstars as Barcelona against PSG, but if there`s one European game that consistently delivers high drama, it`s this one. Think back to David Ospina fumbling a corner into his own net, Olivier Giroud`s memorable hat-trick securing qualification for the knockouts, the dramatic Europa League knockout that concluded with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang`s bicycle kick narrowly missing, and what may have been the first reported incident of COVID-19 in English football. These games are, more often than not, absolute thrillers.
7. Galatasaray vs. Atletico Madrid
If there`s one team quietly facing a series of tricky encounters, it`s Atletico Madrid, who historically found navigating the group stage challenging under both the old and new competition formats. A trip to Rams Park should present a monumental test for their robust defense, especially if Leroy Sane and Victor Osimhen manage to forge a cohesive and potent attacking partnership. Galatasaray has the look of a dark horse contender for a deep run in this competition; a victory against Atleti could compel the rest of Europe to take them very seriously indeed.
8. Borussia Dortmund vs. Juventus
We conclude our list with a truly classic European fixture, one that couldn`t be more evocative of the 90s era if you spotted it doing the Poznan at an Oasis reunion concert, utterly mesmerized by more of that generation`s rock music. While today`s teams might not quite live up to the legendary status of players like Lars Ricken and Alessandro Del Piero, the mere presence of this game on the schedule provides a perfect excuse to indulge in a healthy dose of nostalgia.
