The most notable matches of the first round of Champions League

Tonight (September 16) and early tomorrow morning (September 17), the 2025-2026 UEFA Champions League will kick off with the opening matches of the classification round (formerly group stage).

The first round of the Champions League qualifying round brings much anticipation - Photo: Champions League

It is worth mentioning that right in the first round of the Champions League classification round, many "big battles" have taken place that promise to be extremely dramatic.

Bayern Munich - Chelsea

At 2am on September 18, Bayern Munich will host Chelsea. This is a reenactment of the 2012 Champions League final, where Chelsea were crowned champions right at Bayern's home ground after an emotional penalty shootout.

The fate between the two teams continued when they last met in the round of 16 of the 2019-2020 season, when Bayern successfully "avenged" with a total score of 7-1.

The “Gray Tigers” turned their home ground into an impregnable fortress in the Champions League group stage with a 34-match unbeaten streak (32 wins, 2 draws). Moreover, the German representative has won all opening matches in the last 21 Champions League seasons, an unprecedented record.

Chelsea also have a good record against German teams. Notably, striker Nicolas Jackson will have the opportunity to face his home team after being loaned to Bayern from Chelsea on September 1.

Liverpool - Atletico Madrid

Liverpool will also face Atletico at 2am on September 18. Liverpool are in very good form when facing Spanish representatives, with 4 recent wins in the Champions League group stage. Anfield continues to be the "red brigade's" fulcrum, where they have won 14 recent home matches in the European cup group stage.

Liverpool (black shirt) - Atletico Madrid is a fateful match - Photo: CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

However, Diego Simeone's Atletico Madrid are always a tough opponent. However, their record against English teams is not good, winning only 1 of their last 8 matches. The Madrid team has also never won away to an English club in the Champions League group stage.

Man City - Napoli

The two teams will meet at 2am on September 19. The highlight of this match is Kevin De Bruyne's "return day". The Belgian midfielder will face his former team Man City right at the Etihad Stadium after joining Napoli last summer. He ended a glorious 10-year stay in Manchester.

De Bruyne has a day to return to Etihad - Photo: REUTERS

Man City have an impressive 21-game unbeaten run at home in the Champions League group stage. All eyes will also be on Erling Haaland, who is just one goal away from reaching 50 Champions League goals. If he does, he will break Ruud van Nistelrooy's record (62 games) to become the fastest player to reach that mark in history.

As for Napoli, a challenge is certainly waiting for them, in the past the Italian team has never won in the previous 10 away matches in England.

Newcastle - Barca

This 2am clash on September 19 will bring back memories of that magical night in 1997, when Newcastle beat Barca 3-2 at St. James' Park in the opening match of the Champions League, with Faustino Asprilla scoring a historic hat-trick.

Home ground is always a big support for the "magpies", where they have only lost 3 of their last 31 matches in European cups.

However, Barca also have a very good record against English teams, losing just two of their last 17 group stage games.

Barca's attack will still be the biggest threat to Robert Lewandowski, who has scored 9 goals in his last 7 group stage matches.

THANH DINH

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/cac-tran-dau-duoc-chu-y-nhat-luot-dau-champions-league-20250916093321285.htm