Real Madrid Begins 2025/26 Champions League With Key Matches Against Liverpool, Juventus, Manchester City

The 2025/26 UEFA Champions League season marks the 71st edition of the competition, featuring a new league phase format in its second year. Real Madrid, under new coach Xabi Alonso following a trophyless 2024/25 season, face a challenging group stage with home matches against Manchester City, Juventus, Olympique Marseille, and AS Monaco, and away fixtures including Liverpool and Olympiacos. The league phase consists of eight matches per team, with the top eight advancing directly to the Round of 16 and teams placed 9th to 24th entering playoffs. Real Madrid's squad has undergone significant changes, including the departure of Luka Modric and arrivals like Trent Alexander-Arnold, aiming to reclaim their status as the most successful club in the competition's history. Meanwhile, Barcelona, led by Hansi Flick, are also among the favorites after securing a domestic treble but seeking better results in Europe following a semifinal loss last season. The competition calendar spans from September 2025 to January 2026, with matches primarily on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, highlighting key clashes that promise intense competition among Europe's elite clubs.