The UEFA Champions League returns this week with fireworks guaranteed as Europe’s biggest club competition begins its new league-phase format. Over the next three nights, fans will be treated to 18 thrilling encounters across the continent, from Spain to England and Italy to Turkey.
This season’s opening matches are not ordinary, they bring back memories of past finals, showcase debutant teams chasing history, and big stars looking for new milestones.
Let’s break down Matchday 1 fixtures group by group so every Nigerian football lover can catch the gist clearly.
Tuesday, 16 September
Athletic Club vs Arsenal (6:45pm)
Athletic return to the Champions League after 10 years. They hardly lose at home.
Arsenal don’t joke with opening games; they’re unbeaten in 8 straight first matches.
In simple terms: Basque warriors vs London consistency. Expect an end-to-end attacking football at San Mamés.
PSV vs Union Saint-Gilloise (6:45pm)
PSV are unbeaten in 11 group matches at home.
Union SG are debutants but already shocked Ajax last season in Europe.
This is big boys with history vs small boys with confidence.
Juventus vs Borussia Dortmund
Flashback to 1997 final when Dortmund stunned Juve 3-1.
Juve have never lost a UCL opener at home.
Expect goals. Old Lady faces German machines again.
Real Madrid vs Marseille
Madrid are chasing their 200th UCL win.
Marseille dey suffer: 18 losses in their last 21 matches.
This is Madrid celebration vs Marseille survival mission.
Benfica vs Qarabağ
Benfica are UCL veterans, 45 campaigns.
Qarabağ are only the second Azerbaijani club to reach this stage.
Big history vs new dreamers.
Tottenham vs Villarreal
Spurs unbeaten at home in 20 European games.
Villarreal dey strong for away games and even carry ex-Spurs players.
London fortress vs Spanish revenge.
Wednesday, 17 September
Olympiacos vs Pafos (6:45pm)
Olympiacos are veterans but dey always struggle in group stages.
Pafos are debutants from Cyprus, hungry and fearless.
Old men of Europe vs new boys from Cyprus.
Slavia Praha vs Bodø/Glimt (6:45pm)
First ever Czech vs Norwegian clash in UCL.
Bodø are first Norwegian team since 2007.
Czech reset vs Norway’s chance to shine.
Ajax vs Inter Milan
Repeat of the 1972 final.
Ajax dey always fall against Italian clubs, Inter dey also struggle in opening games.
Clash of nostalgia: Dutch flow vs Italian steel.
Bayern Munich vs Chelsea
Bayern never lose a home opener in 21 years.
Chelsea know how to beat German teams.
Munich fortress vs London underdogs. Throwback to 2012 final.
Liverpool vs Atlético Madrid
Anfield dey hot with 14 straight UCL home wins.
Atleti don’t like playing English teams but hardly lose opening games.
Red-hot Anfield vs Simeone’s stubbornness.
PSG vs Atalanta
PSG haven’t played a 0-0 in 99 games.
Atalanta love scoring away.
Paris goals galore vs Italian chaos.
Thursday, 18 September
Club Brugge vs Monaco (6:45pm)
Brugge dey strong at home.
Monaco always bring goals; only one goalless game in 70 matches.
No dulling. gExpect goals galore.
Copenhagen vs Leverkusen (6:45pm)
Copenhagen strong at home.
Leverkusen ruthless in groups.
Danish stubbornness vs German precision.
Frankfurt vs Galatasaray
Frankfurt dey reliable at home.
Gala haven’t won away in nine matches.
German confidence vs Turkish desperation.
Manchester City vs Napoli
City unbeaten in 21 home UCL group games.
Haaland chasing his 50th UCL goal.
De Bruyne returns to Manchester in Napoli shirt.
Champions’ fortress vs emotional homecoming.
Newcastle vs Barcelona
Last time they met, Newcastle won 3-2 in 1997.
Barça rarely lose their opening game.
St James’ Park passion vs Catalan giants.
Sporting CP vs Kairat Almaty
Sporting are struggling in Europe.
Kairat debut as only second Kazakh side in UCL history.
Portuguese tradition vs Kazakh dreamers.
The new Champions League season means plenty of late-night football and bragging rights for Nigerian fans. With big names like Victor Osimhen (Napoli), Erling Haaland(Manchester City), Kylian Mbappe(Real Madrid) and some other African stars in action, Nigerians will be watching closely.
This new expanded league-phase format also means more matches, more excitement, and more upsets waiting to happen.