In this 1xBet review, we take a look at the most high-profile clashes of Matchday 1 in the premier club football competition.
Liverpool vs Atlético Madrid
For the second season in a row, Diego Simeone comes to Anfield for a UCL league phase clash. His last visit ended in a home win thanks to Virgil van Dijk’s goal in the 92nd minute (3-2). However, Liverpool now have a new manager and roster chaos, which Los Colchoneros could capitalize on.
The Reds have once again made a splash in the summer transfer window with the headline-grabbing signing of Bradley Barcola from PSG for nearly €125 million. Andoni Iraola now has the task of turning this constellation of talented players into a strong team, while also dealing with the pressure of making his managerial debut in the most prestigious club tournament.
Napoli vs Arsenal
In the Champions League, the Gunners haven’t lost in regular time since April, and Mikel Arteta could give any Italian a masterclass in catenaccio. On Matchday 1, he will face a challenge from Massimiliano Allegri, who has been given a second chance after his disappointing spell at Milan and has now taken charge of Napoli. The Italian coach is returning to the Champions League after a 13-year hiatus.
Arsenal are one of the main favorites in the tournament, whereas Napoli will try to redeem themselves for last season’s Champions League failure and make it through to the knockout phase.
Como vs RB Leipzig
The Champions League’s most remarkable debutants take on a German talent factory – a clash that could outshine many big-name battles. Cesc Fàbregas’s side have already beaten Napoli away in Serie A (2-1) and are ready for a new challenge. The Lariani have managed to retain their leading star, Nico Paz, and have also strengthened their squad by signing Trevoh Chalobah, Yan Couto, and Samuele Ricci.
RB Leipzig rocked the transfer market with the sale of Yan Diomande to Real Madrid for €125 million – the most expensive deal in the club’s history. The Red Bulls have invested part of this money in bringing back Christopher Nkunku and signing Maxime Estève, Rocco Reitz, and Marc Guiu. Nkunku and Reitz have already got down to business, recording goal contributions on Bundesliga Matchday 1, when Martín Demichelis’s team thrashed Borussia Mönchengladbach 3-0.
Bayern Munich vs Bodø/Glimt
Bayern begin another Champions League campaign at home, where their record in the opening stage of the competition has been remarkable. The German champions have not lost a Champions League group or league-phase game in Munich since December 2013, winning 36 of their last 38. Vincent Kompany’s side also reached the semi-finals last season and started the new Bundesliga campaign by thrashing Stuttgart 5-1.
Bodø/Glimt, however, are no longer European outsiders. Kjetil Knutsen’s team made an impressive Champions League debut last season and have already shown they can compete away from home against Bundesliga opposition, drawing 2-2 with Borussia Dortmund. They have never beaten a German club, but Bayern should not expect the Norwegian champions simply to sit back and defend at the Allianz Arena.
Manchester United vs Sabah
Manchester United are back in the Champions League for the first time in three seasons, with Michael Carrick preparing for his first game as a manager in the competition. The Red Devils have made an inconsistent start to the Premier League campaign, taking four points from their opening three matches, so a home game against one of the tournament’s biggest outsiders looks like an ideal opportunity to build some momentum.
For Sabah, meanwhile, this is the biggest European night in the club’s short history. Founded in 2017, the Azerbaijani champions are making their Champions League debut after Valdas Dambrauskas led them to their first domestic league title and then through qualifying. Old Trafford represents an enormous step up, but with virtually no pressure on the visitors, United will have to make sure an apparently comfortable opening fixture does not become unnecessarily complicated.
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Published by Patrick Jane
09.09.2026