Bayern Munich and Chelsea in mouthwatering clash
The main event of Champions League matchweek one, 2012 final foes Bayern Munich and Chelsea reunite today for a mouthwatering league phase battle at the Allianz Arena.
Vincent Kompany‘s men have been on the warpath since the start of the new season, whereas the Blues are still unbeaten but have been held to two derby draws in the Premier League.
Bayern’s wait for another slice of European stardom has arguably gone on for too long, having failed to conquer the continent since defeating Paris Saint-Germain behind closed doors in 2020, suffering four quarter-final exits and one semi-final elimination in the past five years.
To make matters worse for Chelsea, the Bundesliga champions have astonishingly won their first Champions League game of the season in each of the last 22 campaigns, most recently failing to do so against Deportivo la Coruna in 2002.
Chelsea are making their return to the big time following a two-year exile from Europe’s top table, although that did not stop them from creating continental history a few months ago.
By thumping Real Betis in the Conference League final, the West London giants became the first side to win every single UEFA club competition, having also achieved Champions League, Europa League and UEFA Super Cup stardom.
Few gave Chelsea a hope of beating Paris Saint-Germain in the Club World Cup final, yet the Blues taught the European champions a footballing lesson, so today’s tie is not a foregone conclusion by any means.
Credit: sportsmole.co.uk
Liverpool tackle Atletico Madrid at Anfield
Merseyside meets Madrid once again in one of the headline fixtures of Champions League matchweek one, as Liverpool tackle Atletico Madrid at their Anfield headquarters.
The Reds have made an unblemished start to Premier League proceedings this season, while Diego Simeone‘s side have only just got off the mark in La Liga.
Already no stranger to re-writing the history books since stepping into Jurgen Klopp’s shoes, Liverpool boss Arne Slot set another English football record in the Reds’ fourth Premier League match of the season, albeit one with both positive and negative connotations.
Swapping domestic duties for a continental contest, Liverpool have some European wrongs to right after last season’s agonising last-16 exit to Paris Saint-Germain.
Liverpool have come up trumps in each of their last 14 home games in UEFA competition – across both the Champions League and Europa League – while incredibly scoring two or more goals in the most recent 13 of those contests.
The international break ostensibly came at the perfect time for Atletico Madrid, who made it fourth time lucky at home to Villarreal at the weekend.
Now competing in the Champions League for the 13th straight season, Atletico can take confidence from the fact that they have scored in 15 of their last 16 league phase/group stage games, as well as suffering defeat in just two of their last 15 matchweek one fixtures in the competition.
An injury-hit Atletico side may not be best-placed to take advantage of the Reds’ recent struggles to score from open play.
Credit: sportsmole.co.uk
Ajax welcome last year’s runners-up Inter Milan
Four-time European champions Ajax will kick off their latest Champions League campaign on Wednesday, welcoming last year’s runners-up Inter Milan to Amsterdam.
The Dutch giants are unbeaten this season, while Inter head to Johan Cruyff Arena having just lost back-to-back matches, but both are still recovering from end-of-term meltdowns in 2024-25.
It was a spectacular fall from grace for Ajax and their former manager Francesco Farioli, as they fluffed a golden chance to regain the Eredivisie title before the Italian coach walked out.
Ajax have yet to lose so far, winning all three home games but twice dropping points on the road.
Like Wednesday’s hosts, Inter also had to settle for second place in their domestic league – letting Napoli pip them to the Scudetto – but they still had more heartbreak to endure.
After squeezing through an epic semi-final tie against Barcelona – and racking up a club-record 10 Champions League wins last term – the wheels then came off in a horribly one-sided final.
The Milan giants were simply dismantled by Paris Saint-Germain in a 5-0 thrashing, which proved to be Simone Inzaghi‘s last game in charge.
Having reached two finals in three years under Inzaghi, the reins were then surprisingly handed to Cristian Chivu.
The ex-Ajax defender first took his new squad to the knockout rounds of the Club World Cup, before making a mixed start in Serie A.
Inter have lost just one of their last 14 Champions League group or league fixtures, keeping eight clean sheets in the last nine.
However, they are no longer the same rock-solid side and will be tested by an able Ajax attack – so the hosts can at least secure an opening draw.
Credit: sportsmole.co.uk
Slavia Prague & Bodo/Glimt meet in an intriguing encounter
Fortuna Arena will play host to an intriguing Champions League encounter on Wednesday night, as Slavia Prague and Bodo/Glimt meet in the league phase of the competition.
The Czech side are competing in the group stage/league phase of the competition for the first time since 2019-20, while the Norwegians will play in the group stage/league phase of the tournament for the first time in their history.
Slavia Prague finished top of the 2024-25 Czech First League to qualify directly for the league phase of this season’s Champions League, and it is the first time that they are competing at this level since 2019-20.
The Red and Whites featured in the Europa League league phase last term, only managing to win one of their eight matches, finishing 30th in the table, so it was a very disappointing campaign.
Slavia Prague featured alongside Inter Milan, Borussia Dortmund and Barcelona in the group stage of the 2019-20 Champions League, picking up two points in the process.
The Czech outfit are already eight matches into their 2025-26 domestic season, picking up 20 points from eight matches to sit top of the table, and they will enter this match off the back of three straight wins, including a 3-1 success over Karvina on Saturday.
This is such a difficult match to call – cases can be made for both to win it, even with Bodo/Glimt having some key absentees. That said, it is likely to be tight, and both teams may have to accept a share of the spoils.
Credit: sportsmole.co.uk
Fixtures
Slavia Prague 17:45 Bodø/Glimt
Olympiakos Piraeus 17:45 Pafos
Liverpool 20:00 Atlético Madrid
