The UEFA Champions League returns with a Matchday 1 packed with heavyweight clashes, fascinating reunions and some of European football’s biggest names. Spread across three days, the opening round immediately offers several fixtures capable of setting the tone for the campaign.
Tuesday provides a spectacular headline encounter at the Santiago Bernabéu, where Real Madrid host Inter Milan. The occasion will be particularly emotional for Jose Mourinho, who returns to the Champions League dugout with Madrid 13 years after his previous spell in charge. The Portuguese coach also faces his former club Inter, whom he guided from 2008 to 2010, including their famous 2010 Champions League triumph.
Inter president Giuseppe Marotta has also highlighted the significance of returning to Madrid. “When we talk about the Champions League, the charm and the emotion are always there,” he said, adding that Inter’s return to the Bernabéu would bring “many emotions that fit perfectly with this event, the most important one on the world stage”.
There is another heavyweight clash in Porto, where Manchester City travel to face Porto, while Borussia Dortmund welcome Villarreal for an all-yellow clash. Aston Villa begin their European campaign away to Club Brugge, while Lille meet Real Betis.
Wednesday brings another collection of major encounters. Barcelona host Feyenoord, while Napoli welcome Arsenal in one of the standout fixtures of the entire opening round. Napoli’s Antonio Vergara has described the prospect of facing Arsenal and City as “spectacular games”, adding: “We can’t wait to experience the fantastic atmosphere of Champions League nights. We want to do well in Europe.”
Liverpool v Atletico Madrid is another meeting likely to generate considerable intrigue. Atletico coach Diego Simeone knows the scale of the challenge at Anfield, but insists his side will attempt to dictate the contest. “We will face a tough opponent but we have the intention of bringing the game to where we want it to go,” he said. Simeone added that Atletico will try to “hurt them in the game whenever we can”.
Reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain face Slovan Bratislava, while Sporting host Galatasaray, giving both fixtures their own potential for drama. Stuttgart face Viking in the earlier action.
Thursday sees Bayern Munich host Bodo-Glimt, while Roma travel to Fenerbahce and PSV face Shakhtar Donetsk. Leipzig visit Como, Slavia Prague meet Lens and Manchester United begin their campaign against Sabah.
For United, the return to Europe’s elite competition represents an important moment. Chief executive Omar Berrada has stressed the club’s desire to compete in the Champions League every season, saying: “This is a competition that we think we need to be playing in every season. We have some fantastic opponents.”
Berrada also reflected on the history of European nights at Old Trafford, noting that it “has been the home of some great moments in this competition” and expressing hope that United can create new memories. While he singled out a potential meeting with Bayern Munich as a fixture to look forward to, United’s immediate attention will be on making the perfect start against Sabah.
With Madrid, Inter, City, Barcelona, Arsenal, Liverpool, Atletico, Bayern and United all involved, Matchday 1 provides a reminder of the extraordinary depth of the Champions League. The first three days of action promise emotion, history and elite-level football from the outset.
Broadcast details
Times CAT
UEFA Champions League: Matchday 1
Tuesday 8 September
18:45: Club Brugge v Aston Villa – LIVE on SuperSport Premier League and SuperSport Maximo 1
18:45: AEK v LASK – LIVE on SuperSport Football Plus, SuperSport GOtv Premier League and SuperSport Maximo 2
21:00: Goals Show Tuesday – LIVE on SuperSport Events
21:00: Porto v Man City – LIVE on SuperSport Premier League and SuperSport Maximo 2
21:00: Real Madrid v Inter Milan – LIVE on SuperSport Football Plus and SuperSport Maximo 1
21:00: Dortmund v Villarreal – LIVE on SuperSport PSL, SuperSport Action Africa and SuperSport Maximo 3
21:00: Lille v Real Betis – LIVE on SuperSport La Liga and SuperSport Maximo 360
Wednesday 9 September
18:45: Barcelona v Feyenoord – LIVE on SuperSport Premier League and SuperSport Maximo 2
18:45: Stuttgart v Viking – LIVE on SuperSport Football Plus and SuperSport Maximo 1
21:00: Goals Show Wednesday – LIVE on SuperSport Events
21:00: Napoli v Arsenal – LIVE on SuperSport Premier League and SuperSport Maximo 2
21:00: Liverpool v Atletico Madrid – LIVE on SuperSport Football Plus and SuperSport Maximo 1
21:00: PSG v Slovan Bratislava – LIVE on SuperSport La Liga and SuperSport Maximo 3
21:00: Sporting v Galatasaray – LIVE on SuperSport PSL, SuperSport Action Africa and SuperSport Maximo 360
Thursday 10 September
18:45: Fenerbahce v Roma – LIVE on SuperSport Premier League and SuperSport Maximo 2
18:45: PSV v Shakhtar – LIVE on SuperSport Football Plus and SuperSport Maximo 1
21:00: Goals Show Thursday – LIVE on SuperSport Events
21:00: Bayern v Bodo-Glimt – LIVE on SuperSport Football Plus and SuperSport Maximo 1
21:00: Slavia Prague v Lens – LIVE on SuperSport PSL, SuperSport Action Africa and SuperSport Maximo 360
21:00: Como v Leipzig – LIVE on SuperSport La Liga and SuperSport Maximo 3
21:00: Man United v Sabah – LIVE on SuperSport Premier League and SuperSport Maximo 2
