The Champions League is never straightforward, and the new single-group ‘league’ format makes it even more complex, yet more spectacular. An initial analysis of the opponents drawn for Italy’s four contenders suggests Atalanta may have received the most favorable draw, despite being paired with world champions Chelsea and European champions Paris Saint-Germain. Conversely, Napoli appears to have been handed the toughest theoretical challenge.
The draw provides an immediate test for Antonio Conte’s European ambitions with Napoli. The target of 16 points, deemed necessary for direct qualification to the last 16, must be earned against formidable opponents. These include a trip to face Manchester City—a nostalgic reunion for Kevin De Bruyne—and clashes with both Benfica and Sporting CP from Lisbon, alongside other tricky sides like Eintracht Frankfurt and PSV Eindhoven.
In a twist of reunions, Juventus will travel to face Monaco and Paul Pogba, who will be eager for vindication against his former club. A trip to the new Santiago Bernabéu to face Real Madrid retains its allure for Juve, even in the absence of iconic figures like Cristiano Ronaldo, Gianluigi Buffon, or Alessandro Del Piero. Interestingly, both Juventus and Napoli will play against the two Lisbon clubs. From the Iberian Peninsula, Juventus must also contend with the always difficult Villarreal, a seasoned European campaigner. At home, Juventus will face a surprising opponent in Pafos FC, a team from a Cypriot tourist destination that won its first domestic title in May. The club boasts a squad of 21 foreign players—including Champions League winner David Luiz—Russian ownership, and a modern training center. A key architect of this success is sporting director Cristiano Giaretta, who previously worked with the Pozzo family at Udinese and Watford.
As expected, Inter Milan was drawn against two English powerhouses, arguably the two best in Liverpool and Arsenal. However, Lautaro Martínez and his teammates will also face Kairat Almaty from Kazakhstan, a team that required four grueling qualifying rounds, including a penalty shootout victory over Celtic, to reach this stage. The Nerazzurri will fortunately host the match against Almaty, which is located 6,735 km from Milan. Kairat’s standout is 16-year-old Dastan Satpaev, who became the youngest ever scorer in a Champions League qualifier; he has already been signed by Chelsea for €4 million but will remain on loan until he turns 18. For Inter, a nostalgic clash with Ajax also looms, evoking memories of the unforgettable 1972 European Cup final and its protagonist, Johan Cruyff, whom the Amsterdam stadium is now named after.
The 2025-26 Champions League league phase begins on September 16-18. The second matchday is scheduled for September 30-October 1, followed by the third on October 21-22, the fourth on November 4-5, the fifth on November 25-26, the sixth on December 9-10, the seventh on January 20-21, and the eighth and final round on January 28, with all 18 games played simultaneously. The final is scheduled for May 30, 2026, at 18:00 CET in Budapest.
The Draw for the Italian Clubs:**
**Inter:** Home: Liverpool, Arsenal, Slavia Prague, Kairat Almaty. Away: Borussia Dortmund, Atlético Madrid, Ajax, Union St. Gilloise.
**Atalanta:** Home: Chelsea, Club Brugge, Slavia Prague, Athletic Bilbao. Away: Paris Saint-Germain, Eintracht Frankfurt, Marseille, Union St. Gilloise.
**Juventus:** Home: Borussia Dortmund, Benfica, Sporting CP, Pafos. Away: Real Madrid, Villarreal, Bodø/Glimt, Monaco.
**Napoli:** Home: Chelsea, Eintracht Frankfurt, Sporting CP, Qarabag. Away: Manchester City, Benfica, PSV Eindhoven, Copenhagen.