Europe's biggest club competition is back, and the Champions League league phase kicks off Tuesday with a slate that instantly reminds you why this tournament sits above everything else in the sport. Real Madrid host Inter Milan in a Bernabeu rematch of last season's knockout drama, while Arsenal have an intriguing date against Napoli. This first matchweek stretches across three days, Tuesday through Thursday, with six matches apiece as all 36 clubs in the expanded league phase begin their eight-game round robin toward the knockout playoffs.
It's a format built for chaos and drama in equal measure, and Matchday 1 sets the tone. Every match streams live on Paramount+, your home for every Champions League game all season long, plus replays, highlights and studio coverage breaking down the race for the top eight. If you haven't signed up yet, now's the time.
Tuesday's slate also features Club Brugge hosting Aston Villa and Lille taking on Real Betis, but all eyes will be on the Bernabeu, where Real Madrid look to open with a statement. Here are our expert picks for this matchday: Player to Arda Guler, Real Madrid: If there has been a somewhat surprising early-season winner under Jose Mourinho it is Guler, so far seeing notably more minutes than Brahim Diaz or Yan Diomande as the fourth attacker in the 4-2-3-1. Perhaps such a label is unfair on the 21-year-old, whose 19 chances created is the most of any player in Europe's top five leagues so far this season. -- James BengeMan of the match: Kylian Mbappe, Real Madrid: Tuesday is a big day at the Bernabeu as Real Madrid will host Inter for their opening game of the Champions League season.
This is the Champions League's comeback of Jose Mourinho at the Bernabeu against his former Italian team and his former player, Cristian Chivu, who now leads the Nerazzurri. However, these are the kinds of games in which Mbappé tends to shine. After scoring four goals in his first four LaLiga games, he will be looking to bounce back after missing a crucial penalty against Real Betis over the weekend.
There is no better occasion to do so. -- Francesco Porzio Prediction: Real Madrid 3, Inter 1: I'd argue one of the big storylines in the Champions League this season is whether or not Jose Mourinho's version of Real Madrid are contenders or pretenders but chances are low we'll get the answer this quickly. A clash against Inter offers plenty of intrigue but as imbalanced as Los Blancos' roster might be, they boast enough game-changing talent that will ensure they can stylishly coast through a batch of league phase matches, this one included. -- Pardeep Cattry Best bet: Kylian Mbappe to have 3+ shots on target (+130): Real Madrid may have suffered their first setback under Jose Mourinho, but that doesn't mean that Mbappe is going to stop shooting anytime soon. Too many Real Madrid players may want to occupy the left flank, but Mbappe will be the one who has the shots at the end of the day.
He already has four LaLiga goals and now is the time to add his first UCL goal of the season. -- Charles Booth Player to Riccardo Calafiori, Arsenal: Back in his homeland, Calafiori arrives in Naples garlanded with praise for his early season impact, which includes assists against both Coventry City and Aston Villa. "Far and away the best left back in the Premier League," said Jamie Carragher of the 24-year-old. There's no exaggeration there. -- James BengeMan of the match: Christos Tzolis, Arsenal: The Greek winger has been one of the surprises of the first part of the season as he shined in the opening games, already delivering three assists in the four matches he played so far in all competitions.
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