From Arsenal vs Real Madrid to PSG VS Barcelona: UCL blockbusters to watch
August 28, 2026 6:29 pm
PSG win 2025/26 UCL. Credit: AFP
The Champions League draw has produced several high-profile fixtures, with Europe’s biggest clubs set to face each other during the league phase.
With 144 matches scheduled, here are 10 fixtures that stand out as the ones to watch as reported by Planet Football on Friday
Barcelona vs Como
Cesc Fabregas will return to the Camp Nou when Como face Barcelona in their first Champions League campaign.
Barcelona will be strong favourites, but Fabregas’ return to his former club adds an interesting storyline to the fixture.
The former Arsenal and Barcelona midfielder has also earned praise for his coaching work and will hope to cause an upset against his old side.
Manchester United vs Bayern Munich
Manchester United will welcome Bayern Munich to Old Trafford in a fixture that has the feel of a traditional Champions League heavyweight clash.
The two clubs met in the group stage in 2023, with Bayern winning both matches.
United will hope home advantage can help them produce a different result this time, particularly given the importance of the fixture in the league phase.
Bodo/Glimt vs Atletico Madrid
Bodo/Glimt established themselves as one of Europe’s difficult teams to beat last season and also managed to defeat Atletico Madrid in their previous meeting.
This time, Atletico will travel to Norway and face the challenging conditions in Bodo.
The Norwegian side will see the fixture as another opportunity to prove that their impressive European form was no fluke.
Real Madrid vs Inter Milan
Real Madrid and Inter Milan will meet at the Santiago Bernabeu in another heavyweight European encounter.
Both clubs have reached Champions League finals in recent years, while Inter enjoyed an impressive domestic campaign last season.
Real Madrid have the better historical record, having won 10 of the previous meetings compared with Inter’s seven victories. Madrid have also won six of their last seven encounters.
Paris Saint-Germain vs Barcelona
PSG and Barcelona have developed one of the most entertaining rivalries in European football in recent years.
The two sides were involved in the famous Remontada and have continued to produce dramatic encounters.
Their head-to-head record is evenly matched, with both teams recording six victories, while four meetings have ended in draws.
The fixture is also expected to feature several of Europe’s biggest attacking stars, including Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, Ousmane Dembele and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
Fenerbahce vs Liverpool
Liverpool face a difficult trip to Turkey when they take on Fenerbahce.
The Turkish club have several players with Premier League experience, including N’Golo Kante, Romelu Lukaku and Mason Greenwood.
The atmosphere in Istanbul should provide Liverpool with a major test, while the additional travel could make the fixture more demanding during a busy period of the season.
Arsenal vs Bayern Munich
Arsenal will face Bayern Munich in another clash between two clubs expected to compete deep into the competition.
The Gunners have not won in Munich since 2013, although they defeated Bayern 3-1 in their most recent meeting.
Manchester City vs Barcelona
Manchester City will travel to the Camp Nou to face Barcelona in one of the most intriguing fixtures of the league phase.
The two clubs have met six times in recent years, with Barcelona winning five and City winning once.
City have never won at the Camp Nou, while Barcelona’s strong record against Guardiola’s side adds further intrigue.
Rodri’s connection with both clubs will also provide an additional storyline to the fixture.
Arsenal vs Real Madrid
Arsenal’s meeting with Real Madrid promises to be one of the most anticipated fixtures of the league phase.
The Spanish giants boast one of Europe’s most dangerous attacks, while Arsenal have developed a reputation for having one of the continent’s strongest defences.
The fixture also carries memories of Arsenal’s previous meeting with Madrid and offers another opportunity for the Premier League side to measure themselves against one of Europe’s most successful clubs.
With both teams possessing the quality to go deep into the competition, the match could prove to be one of the defining fixtures of the league phase.
Gilbert Ekugbe is a journalist at Punch Newspapers with over a decade of experience reporting on business and economic affairs. He covers markets, corporate developments, finance, and Nigeria’s broader economic landscape. His reporting is informed by extensive newsroom experience and a strong commitment to accuracy and responsible journalism, helping readers understand complex business issues.
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