The new Champions League season officially begins today with a special three-day schedule. Four Italian sides take the field with big ambitions and tough challenges ahead — from Tudor’s Juventus against Borussia Dortmund to Kevin De Bruyne’s emotional return to the Etihad with Napoli.
On Tuesday, September 16, 2025, the Champions League 2025/26 officially kicks off with a dedicated three-day opener. The first round of games will run through Thursday night, bringing Europe’s top competition back to center stage.
The tournament once again brings its unique charm with 36 teams, a single standings table, and eight group-stage matches that will determine who advances directly to the Round of 16 and who must go through the playoffs.
The favorites
Reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain, playing a dominant brand of football under Luis Enrique, are still the team to beat. Chasing them are England’s elite — Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City, and Chelsea — along with Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Bayern Munich.
Among the dark horses, two Italian clubs stand out: Antonio Conte’s Napoli, fresh off a Serie A title and still improving, and Igor Tudor’s Juventus, who have rediscovered both quality and confidence.
Cristian Chivu’s Inter, last year’s runners-up, are a question mark, while Ivan Juric’s Atalanta face an immediate uphill climb with a daunting clash against PSG.
Italian clubs’ schedule:
Tuesday, September 16, 2025, 9:00 PM: Juventus vs Borussia Dortmund
Wednesday, September 17, 2025, 9:00 PM: Ajax vs Inter
Wednesday, September 17, 2025, 9:00 PM: PSG vs Atalanta
Thursday, September 18, 2025, 9:00 PM: Manchester City vs Napoli
Juventus vs Borussia Dortmund: Tudor goes all-in with heavy attack
Juventus open their European campaign with a high-stakes clash against Borussia Dortmund.
Coach Igor Tudor is expected to unleash his attacking depth, starting Jonathan David, Loïs Openda, and rising star Kenan Yildiz, with Dusan Vlahovic likely to come off the bench as an impact sub.
The strategy: attack with speed and physicality to unsettle the German side.
Tudor knows exactly what it takes:
“In Europe, there’s more space. We want to play without fear.”
For Yildiz, who came through Bayern Munich’s youth system, facing Dortmund carries extra meaning — a personal “Clasico.”
The Bianconeri enter this season’s opener with more experience and belief than last year, determined to erase the bitter memory of their extra-time elimination in Eindhoven.
Ajax vs Inter: Chivu shakes up the Nerazzurri
Inter begin their Champions League journey in Amsterdam against a young and ambitious Ajax side.
It hasn’t been an easy start for Cristian Chivu, who’s coming off two straight defeats and still searching for defensive stability. As a result, expect four or five changes compared to the team that lost to Juventus in Turin.
The biggest surprise could come in goal: Josep Martinez, a good luck charm in his previous two Champions League appearances, is ready to replace Yann Sommer, who has struggled recently.
At the back, Federico Dimarco should return, with Bisseck possibly joining him. In midfield, Piotr Zielinski and Luka Sucic are pushing for starts.
The main concern is Lautaro Martinez, who missed the final training session due to a back issue. If he doesn’t make it, Bonny or Pio Esposito will partner Marcus Thuram up front.
Inter need a strong statement to turn their season around — and the Amsterdam Arena could be the perfect stage for a fresh start.
PSG vs Atalanta: a brutal test for La Dea, without Lookman
For Ivan Juric’s Atalanta, the toughest possible start: taking on the reigning champions PSG at the Parc des Princes.
The Bergamo side come in with momentum after a Serie A win over Lecce, but they’ll be without two key players:
Gianluca Scamacca, out injured
Ademola Lookman, dropped from the squad for disciplinary reasons
Juric set the tone clearly:
“I only want players fully focused on our jersey. Right now, we need spirit, fight, and humility.”
Expect a young, aggressive Atalanta, ready to defend deep and counterattack. PSG will be missing Ousmane Dembélé and Desire Doué, but remain the most complete and dangerous team in Europe.
Manchester City vs Napoli: the return of King Kevin
Thursday night at the Etihad Stadium will be charged with emotion: Kevin De Bruyne returns to Manchester to face his former club — just four months after his emotional farewell to the City faithful.
Now the leader of Antonio Conte’s Napoli, the Belgian midfielder will be greeted by the fans who watched him grow into a club legend, winning 18 trophies over ten seasons.
The Etihad has already honored him with a street and a mosaic at the training center, with a statue set to follow.
But after the tributes, it’s all about business: Napoli are determined to prove they can compete with Europe’s elite.
This match is the perfect test to measure just how far Conte and his team have come.
L’articolo Champions League 2025/26 kicks off: Juventus, Inter, Napoli, and Atalanta face Europe’s ultimate test proviene da Soccer Made In Italy.
