Five Mouthwatering Matches of the 2025-26 Champions League League Phase
On Thursday afternoon, the league phase of the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League took shape following the draws in Monaco. The draw threw up several exciting fixtures between some of Europe's giants, exactly what UEFA had in mind when they proposed the idea of a rebranded format of football's premier club competition. The league phase will begin in September, running until late January next year.
In what promises to be yet another riveting Champions League season, here are the five must-watch fixtures of the league phase:
Barcelona vs Paris Saint-German
Barca vs PSG was the dream 2024/25 UCL final for neutrals. The chances and prospects of these two teams meeting in last season's final were high and tantalising. Inter, much to their credit, denied fans that, and it ended badly for them as PSG blew them out of the water to win their first ever UCL trophy.
Fans have gotten their wish, although it has come under much lower-stakes circumstances. Regardless, this game promises deliver high-level entertainment, featuring several individual battles that will determine the outcome of the game. Namely, Lamine Yamal v Nuno Mendes and Pedri v Vitinha.
Liverpool vs Real Madrid
Liverpool and Real Madrid know each other all too well, having met in the finals in both 2019 and 2022, with Real triumphing both times. Their most recent meeting, which came at the league phase last season, ended in a 2-0 win for Liverpool. Both teams have made changes from last season and as two of the favorites, it should be interesting to see how they match up against each other.
Trent Alexander-Arnold adds extra flavour to this fixture. A few months after saying goodbye to the ground he called home for many years, the right-back returns to where it all began for him. According to Liverpool fans, the player's departure was not the problem. The fact that he rejected multiple contract offers to leave as a free agent is where the issue lies. It would be particularly intriguing to see how Anfield welcomes its former academy standout after all that has transpired in the preceding months. Fans should expect fireworks and hope none of them land on Trent’s head.
Arsenal vs Bayern Munich
In several chapters of Arsenal’s Champions League history, Bayern Munich has been a mountain they have, for the most part, failed to surmount. The two teams have faced each other twelve times in the competition. Arsenal have won just two of those fixtures, Bayern winning eight. Last time out as recently as two seasons ago, Bayern won 3:2 on aggregate in the quarter-finals. Arteta and Arsenal will approach this game with a strong desire to get one back against their bogey team.
Chelsea vs Barcelona
Barca’s visit to Stamford Bridge will evoke memories from the past, including that of the controversial encounter in 2009. It will also be an important test for Maresca's team against one of the competition's favourites.
Another thing that makes this fixture intriguing in prospect is the way both teams play. While it is nearly impossible to keep Barca out, their high defensive line leaves space for counter-attacks, which Chelsea is devastating at, as seen in the Club World Cup final against PSG. This game has the potential of being the most entertaining matchup of the league phase, just below Barca v PSG.
Real Madrid vs Man City
This would be the sixth meeting between Real Madrid and Man City in the span of seven seasons. The nerve-racking moments this fixture has served over the last few years mean this game requires no additional hype, even if the prospect of Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland facing off is insufficient.
