open for sponsor | UEFA Champions League 2026/27 Season

[Sim_card]

I want to be as optimistic as you are. But to be honest, I don’t really feel at the moment that this season’s Champions League has improved on last season’s.
As you say, Arsenal have strengthened their squad considerably, but they’ve also let some top-class players go, so they’ll need some time to bed in their new signings.

Their next match won’t be particularly difficult for them, and I expect them to beat Lille.

Arsenal wouldn't face any difficulties in the group stage matches because in recent times, they have finished on top of the table of their group. It's from the knockout stage that we might start seeing some laxity in their performance due to fatigue. I don't expect them to be in the finals this season.

[blomen]

Arsenal wouldn't face any difficulties in the group stage matches because in recent times, they have finished on top of the table of their group. It's from the knockout stage that we might start seeing some laxity in their performance due to fatigue. I don't expect them to be in the finals this season.

with the new format in the champions league, the big teams aren’t even facing any difficulties in the group stage. even if not all of them make it into the top 8, they can all make it into the top 24, and all they have to do is play one extra round. under the old group system, even a team that looked very strong ran the risk of not advancing from the group stage, but the smaller teams had much fewer chances there. the current system offers more opportunities to small and mid-tier teams by featuring a greater variety of matches.

[ndutndut]

When Real Madrid signed their manager and players at the start of the season, everyone expected a very different style of play from them, but judging by their performances so far, Real Madrid doesn't seem to have fully met expectations. They've already suffered a defeat in the Spanish league, and considering Barcelona's magnificent performance, they still risk falling behind them. Of course, Real Madrid still has a mathematical chance of winning the Spanish championship, but Barcelona is so good that they are diminishing Real Madrid's chances with their excellent play.

And I was all over the thread telling fans who won't stop talking about it to wait for the season to start before putting strong belief in everything changing, even though I trust Mourinho to be a good manager.

Although the numbers aren't giving the expected results, still, it's just one defeat so far. A lot of folks here need to 'calm their teets' (stole this from babo), the season is still long, starting bad doesn't mean they can't end well.

I think so too. The season is still very long and Mourinho still has the chance to keep fixing the shortcomings in the team. Mourinho is not a coach without experience in the UCL, especially since he currently has talented players he just needs to figure out the lineup in each match to get the win. Indeed, Madrid's current performance has made many people doubt them, especially after losing for the first time this season to Betis in La Liga and even when facing Inter in the UCL they still won but with difficulty.

But going back to what you said, the season is still very long and every coach has time to keep strengthening the team to become strong. And starting the season badly doesn't mean they will end badly too sometimes a bad start gives valuable lessons to be able to rise and become better, and can even become champions, like PSG for example in the last two seasons when they won the UCL trophy. They started the season badly, even having to go through the playoff route, but they could win the UCL trophy.

[tiCeR]

...

I think so too. The season is still very long and Mourinho still has the chance to keep fixing the shortcomings in the team. Mourinho is not a coach without experience in the UCL, especially since he currently has talented players he just needs to figure out the lineup in each match to get the win. Indeed, Madrid's current performance has made many people doubt them, especially after losing for the first time this season to Betis in La Liga and even when facing Inter in the UCL they still won but with difficulty.

But going back to what you said, the season is still very long and every coach has time to keep strengthening the team to become strong. And starting the season badly doesn't mean they will end badly too sometimes a bad start gives valuable lessons to be able to rise and become better, and can even become champions, like PSG for example in the last two seasons when they won the UCL trophy. They started the season badly, even having to go through the playoff route, but they could win the UCL trophy.

I doubt that Real Madrid will play for the Champions League title this season. In. my opinion the team isn't as balanced as it should be and Mbappe won't be able to win that title alone. They still lack quality in their midfield. They can of course improve over time, but they will run into limits. Despite being a rather defensive team, they are conceding too many goals I think.

Beating Inter Milan was of course an important step for them, but luck was involved and it was more about Inter not using their opportunities than good defense by Real Madrid. I don't think Real Madrid can get away with their defensive performances.

[Lillominato89]

I want to be as optimistic as you are. But to be honest, I don’t really feel at the moment that this season’s Champions League has improved on last season’s.
As you say, Arsenal have strengthened their squad considerably, but they’ve also let some top-class players go, so they’ll need some time to bed in their new signings.

Their next match won’t be particularly difficult for them, and I expect them to beat Lille.

Arsenal wouldn't face any difficulties in the group stage matches because in recent times, they have finished on top of the table of their group. It's from the knockout stage that we might start seeing some laxity in their performance due to fatigue. I don't expect them to be in the finals this season.

I don’t know if they’ll make it to the final again this season; there are so many variables at play when it comes to determining who does or doesn’t go all the way. Arsenal are certainly in with a chance of winning the trophy, but there are other strong teams in the competition too, and everyone wants to win! Then there’s the element of luck in this game as well

[Muba20]

...

I think so too. The season is still very long and Mourinho still has the chance to keep fixing the shortcomings in the team. Mourinho is not a coach without experience in the UCL, especially since he currently has talented players he just needs to figure out the lineup in each match to get the win. Indeed, Madrid's current performance has made many people doubt them, especially after losing for the first time this season to Betis in La Liga and even when facing Inter in the UCL they still won but with difficulty.

But going back to what you said, the season is still very long and every coach has time to keep strengthening the team to become strong. And starting the season badly doesn't mean they will end badly too sometimes a bad start gives valuable lessons to be able to rise and become better, and can even become champions, like PSG for example in the last two seasons when they won the UCL trophy. They started the season badly, even having to go through the playoff route, but they could win the UCL trophy.

I doubt that Real Madrid will play for the Champions League title this season. In. my opinion the team isn't as balanced as it should be and Mbappe won't be able to win that title alone. They still lack quality in their midfield. They can of course improve over time, but they will run into limits. Despite being a rather defensive team, they are conceding too many goals I think.

After two consecutive seasons of poor performance this improvement in the new season is a good sign for the team. I think Real Madrid has more problems in the attack than in the midfield and defense. Despite having dynamic players in the attack, the attacks are very weak at times. Mbappe, despite being the main forward of the team, sometimes goes off form. He has not yet shown consistency in his play. I think that due to Mbappe's inattentive behavior, his teammates cannot trust Mbappe at the right time. No matter how strong the rest of the team's players are, no one else can ever fill the place of a main forward. They are in better form this season compared to the last two seasons and now we can only hope for them. They will play better in the future.

[Zaguru12]

After two consecutive seasons of poor performance this improvement in the new season is a good sign for the team. I think Real Madrid has more problems in the attack than in the midfield and defense. Despite having dynamic players in the attack, the attacks are very weak at times. Mbappe, despite being the main forward of the team, sometimes goes off form. He has not yet shown consistency in his play. I think that due to Mbappe's inattentive behavior, his teammates cannot trust Mbappe at the right time. No matter how strong the rest of the team's players are, no one else can ever fill the place of a main forward. They are in better form this season compared to the last two seasons and now we can only hope for them. They will play better in the future.

I strongly disagree on this, why I agree that the biggest problem that Real Madrid have is the attack I don’t agree with your analysis around, if we are talking about going off form I don’t think we should put Mbappe in that category, even though he is not better suited as a center forward Mbappe has never gone more than three games without goal contribution in a Real Madrid shirt, so where is the off form from.

The real problem around this attack is simply the lack of team cohesion, they are yet to understand each other more with Vinicius and Mbappe most coming into each others ways during attack and most important fact which is each player prioritizing getting on the score sheet than helping the team.

[Pi-network314159]

Looking at how Paris Saint Germain took the champions league by storm, winning it for the very first time in it's entire history. Not just that they did what only Real Madrid could do which was to defend the trophy after winning. I think Paris Saint Germain took it to a different level, teams has won the competition in the past but were not able to win it in a row within the name as Champions League. Top teams like Liverpool, Bayern and Barcelona must have felt the heat of a new team winning it for the first time and winning it again on the repeat. This season will be a big challenge, these teams will be looking for ways to stop Paris Saint Germain by all means necessary.

[m4r1o]

And I was all over the thread telling fans who won't stop talking about it to wait for the season to start before putting strong belief in everything changing, even though I trust Mourinho to be a good manager.

Although the numbers aren't giving the expected results, still, it's just one defeat so far. A lot of folks here need to 'calm their teets'  (stole this from babo), the season is still long, starting bad doesn't mean they can't end well.

I believe that this year the team that will win the La Liga is the team that will win the Clasico, because i cannot imagine a Clasico being fought again, given the difference between the two teams, but i am convinced that the team that manages to bring home the victory in that match will also be the same one that will win the La Liga.

[bastisisca]

That is his opinion, he can't just list these teams to be the favorite because of their performance in their domestic leagues, Real Madrid has won that trophy several times without peoples expectations, and aside Arsenal that has never won it before among the listed teams, I still think Bayern Munich is more hungry for that trophy than anyone of them their, and again that Paris Saint Germain shouldn't be there, because I don't think they can make it pass quarter finals, yes to me they are not a threat, Aside Barcelona the rest two are less of a worries to me.

There are many teams that have the desire to obtain the final victory. This is what will make the various matches that will be played interesting this year, because there are teams like Bayern Munich who will stop at nothing, teams like Paris Saint-Germain who, even if they are not playing well in the league, will still aim to get the best in the Champions League and teams like Arsenal who want to make a dream come true.

[changaa]

Real Madrid may have to go without a title for another season, as they have been for the last two seasons. There is no improvement in the team, there is no good understanding between the players and the main players are not in good form. Vinicius Junior is not able to take advantage of the opportunities, Kylian Mbappe is scoring goals but is not effective for his team. Bellingham is also playing well, but there is no one to accompany him. The defense is very chaotic, there is not much to say about the midfield. Basically, just as the team lacked discipline and balance in previous seasons, so too is the lack of discipline and balance this season. With such a team, you can hardly expect anything, especially in competitive tournaments like the Champions League and La Liga. It is going to be an embarrassing season for Jose Mourinho.

When you play in a team where there are such strong personalities, it is difficult to find harmony, since everyone wants to be protagonists. In fact, Vinicius is an excellent player, but in recent times he has been talked about not so much for his plays but more for his chatter. And is something that i find doesn't help the team grow and above all doesn't make it improve.

[martinom]

Barcelona are the main favourite imho. Finally a squad with basically no weak links in the chain.

Getting Rodri was a massive win of the club's management. Not only they filled the spot where they needed a strong player, they got the person who basically won the UCL for Manchester City.

They are just very strong now and their odds to win the UCL are already the highest among most bookies.

Barcelona with the new midfielder Rodri has made a huge coup because he is a player who needs no introduction. He is a player who deservedly won the Ballon d'Or and is a player who in midfield, as seen with Spain at the World Cup, truly makes a huge difference.

[giorgione]

Of course, we can't directly call Real Madrid the favorite, but it's fair to say they have a good squad and the potential to spring a surprise in the Champions League. Considering that Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal met in the final last year, it's not surprising that they have a higher chance of winning the championship than Real Madrid. Barcelona's performance this year also shows that they are better than Real Madrid. The Champions League odds are not a coincidence, of course, they are based on performance. Real Madrid's current performance is not quite what is expected.

Real Madrid has one positive thing, which is the surprise effect. Because it can be a team that, even without a one hundred percent ready and concrete squad, can still give us many surprises both in the championship and in the Champions League. So you should never let your guard down with them.

[fluffaloo]

Personally, I'm not rating Real Madrid both in the league and the champions League, the have degraded drastically in both competitions. The players are not playing up to expectations. Look at their last match against Inter Milan, with the kind of deadly squad Real Madrid has, were they supposed to struggle against Inter Milan! Apart from being dominated by the Italian team that's known for defensive games, they missed chances, had it been Inter Milan made good use of their own chances, Real Madrid would have lost that game despite them leading from the beginning.

Real Madrid always seems to have a little difficulty in closing out matches and showing their dominance.
This is what leads people to see a Real Madrid of a lower level than usual. Because even if he plays well it almost seems like he gives his rivals the chance to continue playing and thus risk losing points.

[verdinio]

You're right, even so, Real Madrid didn't have all their starting players available, so Inter is a much bigger force than Feyenoord. This isn't to belittle Feyenoord, but let me point out that Inter has more experience in the Champions League and has reached the finals much more frequently in recent seasons. Therefore, it wouldn't be a direct comparison, but rather a much more accurate analogy in terms of the levels involved.

Similarly, Barcelona has drawn tough opponents. They face Manchester City and PSG, both teams in excellent form. Barcelona is currently dominating in La Liga and has high morale, so it will be very interesting to see them in these Champions League matches.

I think that Barcelona have total confidence in their abilities and they are demonstrating it especially in the league, given that they do nothing but win and in a decidedly substantial way. i think that facing strong teams from the start will give him the opportunity to gain more confidence and will give us the opportunity to evaluate how much the team has actually improved.

[coinlary]

-snip-

I believe that this year the team that will win the La Liga is the team that will win the Clasico

Football doesn't work that way. Any of them can win El Clásico and still fail to bring home the trophy. But Barcelona is the favourite to win it, and if they truly do win it, there's an even bigger chance they win the trophy.

So for now, they are just the favourites.

And let me ask you this: if Real Madrid wins it, do you truly believe that same Real Madrid will win La Liga? Although no one can really tell if they would have improved or declined again but let's assume they retained their current performance or decline,  do you think they will win the league if they trully win the Elclassico?

There are many teams that have the desire to obtain the final victory. This is what will make the various matches that will be played interesting this year, because there are teams like Bayern Munich who will stop at nothing, teams like Paris Saint-Germain who, even if they are not playing well in the league,

But Bayern has always fail at almost same spot every year, they play woefully when facing good contenders and even the unexpected ones when they get to the knockout stages, yet nothing has really changed in their squad again this season.

[tiCeR]

...

After two consecutive seasons of poor performance this improvement in the new season is a good sign for the team. I think Real Madrid has more problems in the attack than in the midfield and defense. Despite having dynamic players in the attack, the attacks are very weak at times. Mbappe, despite being the main forward of the team, sometimes goes off form. He has not yet shown consistency in his play. I think that due to Mbappe's inattentive behavior, his teammates cannot trust Mbappe at the right time. No matter how strong the rest of the team's players are, no one else can ever fill the place of a main forward. They are in better form this season compared to the last two seasons and now we can only hope for them. They will play better in the future.

I don't know, but this doesn't sound fair to me. He has been the best scorer in 24/25 and in 25/26. There isn't much more you can ask for, given with whom he is competing in that league. I agree with you that Real Madrid has only him. Vinicius Junior has been overrated for a long time and this season it is the same. As soon as Mbappe doesn't score, Real Madrid has got a problem whereas it is not the same for Barcelona. They have many players who can score.

But remember how Real Madrid has been transformed into a defensive team. Barcelona could concede three goals and still win the match whereas in many matches Real Madrid can't afford to concede as much. The defense they had several years ago was one of the best out there, but it's far from that now.

I doubt that Mbappe is enough to win the UCL. It's not that I think they will be beaten up heavily, but it's not good enough to win the very important matches, which will inevitably come. Maybe there is too much redundancy between Vinicius Junior and Mbappe. For instance, if you see Raphinha and Yamal, I think they are very complementary. Yamal loves the dribblings, drawing opponents attention to him and Raphinha likes to find the perfect spot where the ball should be passed.

And then finally, the midfield is not close to what one of their best midfields ever was in recent times. I still have doubts that Bellingham should ever play left midfielder. He has the power and physique to go through the middle as he has often done at the World Cup. Left midfield for him doesn't look right to me.

[Crakryptvest]

Looking at how Paris Saint Germain took the champions league by storm, winning it for the very first time in it's entire history. Not just that they did what only Real Madrid could do which was to defend the trophy after winning. I think Paris Saint Germain took it to a different level, teams has won the competition in the past but were not able to win it in a row within the name as Champions League. Top teams like Liverpool, Bayern and Barcelona must have felt the heat of a new team winning it for the first time and winning it again on the repeat. This season will be a big challenge, these teams will be looking for ways to stop Paris Saint Germain by all means necessary.

You're right, the fight has began, the first match played by PSG proved that they are still aggressive, people will say, the team they encountered is not of equal strength with them, which might be right, but we have seen where teams as that, win bigger teams, although UEFA champions League is approached with a different style of play by different teams, PSG as the defending champions of the competition will resist any attempt by any team to defeat them this early, no to mention the team they faced, considering how the competition is unfolding, we can't say the teams that'll likely get to the final, but PSG will not be knocked out easily, if that's even possible, their league performance is rated poor, but they still have time to improve and might still repeat what they did in the previous season, they will definitely face oppositions, but we'll see where it ends.

[Phoenix Anka]

You're right, even so, Real Madrid didn't have all their starting players available, so Inter is a much bigger force than Feyenoord. This isn't to belittle Feyenoord, but let me point out that Inter has more experience in the Champions League and has reached the finals much more frequently in recent seasons. Therefore, it wouldn't be a direct comparison, but rather a much more accurate analogy in terms of the levels involved.

Similarly, Barcelona has drawn tough opponents. They face Manchester City and PSG, both teams in excellent form. Barcelona is currently dominating in La Liga and has high morale, so it will be very interesting to see them in these Champions League matches.

I think that Barcelona have total confidence in their abilities and they are demonstrating it especially in the league, given that they do nothing but win and in a decidedly substantial way. i think that facing strong teams from the start will give him the opportunity to gain more confidence and will give us the opportunity to evaluate how much the team has actually improved.

Barcelona's self-confidence is well-deserved. They've had a great start in both the league and the Champions League. While Real Madrid dropped a few points, Barcelona haven't lost any and are still dominating every team. I think they'll deliver a similar performance in the Champions League. We know their squad quality is excellent, and they're very young. I think we'll see Barcelona at this level for a few years to come. Right now, every team in Europe is very afraid of Barcelona.

[Jegileman]

Arsenal wouldn't face any difficulties in the group stage matches because in recent times, they have finished on top of the table of their group. It's from the knockout stage that we might start seeing some laxity in their performance due to fatigue. I don't expect them to be in the finals this season.

This is not something that we will actually know so soon. The competition has to go a bit farther than this before we can get some hints on whether Arsenal will reach the finals or not. Only one match has been played in the champions league and I don’t think that it is enough to tell how far a team can go in this competition. Arsenal did well last season and so far this season, they’ve shown a very good performance to actually see them as a major contender, time will tell soon how far they can go.

There are many teams that have the desire to obtain the final victory. This is what will make the various matches that will be played interesting this year, because there are teams like Bayern Munich who will stop at nothing, teams like Paris Saint-Germain who, even if they are not playing well in the league, will still aim to get the best in the Champions League and teams like Arsenal who want to make a dream come true.

Even Real Madrid who happens to be the king of the champions league will not have a full confidence that they will make it to the final round of the Champions league. Anything can happen along the way which could really make them fall short of what they’ve been expecting to see from the performance. Paris Saint German is also a team to have a close watch on, they will want to do it again like they did last season.