The road to Madrid begins this week as the league phase gets under way - but which teams are currently looking in the best shape to go on and lift the European Cup?
There are a number of iconic left wingers plying their trade at the very highest level, but who is the best of the bunch? With Luis Diaz in the frame, former Bayern Munich star Dietmar Hamann has answered that question during an exclusive interview with GOAL. He sees Paris Saint-Germain enigma Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Real Madrid superstar Vinicius Junior forming part of that conversation.
Jose Mourinho is no stranger to mind games and iconic imagery, but the Real Madrid boss was left chuckling during his latest media appearance for a very different reason. Ahead of a heavyweight Champions League clash against Inter, the Portuguese tactician was presented with a garden sprinkler in a cheeky reference to one of the most famous nights of his career.
Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca has admitted he is ready to pull his weary superstars out of the firing line to prevent a mid-season injury crisis. The Italian coach, who has enjoyed a perfect start to the new campaign, acknowledged that the physical demands on his squad are reaching a breaking point following a summer of international commitments.
UEFA has announced that a moment of silence will be observed across all Champions League fixtures this week to honour the victims of the catastrophic flash floods in Nepal. European football's governing body will also display a solidarity banner across every stadium to support the affected communities.
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery is facing a significant selection headache as his side prepares for a vital Champions League fixture against Club Brugge. The Premier League outfit must navigate this European hurdle without the services of Leon Goretzka, whose ongoing injury struggles have dealt a major blow to the club's midfield options.
Inter are preparing for a heavyweight Champions League clash as they travel to the Santiago Bernabeu to face a Real Madrid side led by a familiar face. Cristian Chivu takes his squad to the Spanish capital knowing that history is stacked against the Nerazzurri, who have failed to secure a victory at this iconic venue for six decades.
Former France international Christophe Dugarry has delivered a scathing assessment of Kylian Mbappe, following the Real Madrid star's recent comments regarding his individual accolades. The 1998 World Cup winner believes the forward's public pursuit of personal glory undermines his responsibilities as a leader for both club and country.
Lautaro Martinez has sent a defiant message to the rest of Europe, insisting that winning the Champions League is a concrete objective for Inter this season. Speaking ahead of a heavyweight opening clash against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu, the Nerazzurri captain made it clear that the Italian giants are no longer just dreaming of continental glory.
Real Madrid superstar Vinicius Jr has sent a defiant message to the rest of Europe, insisting that the Spanish giants are destined to reclaim their continental crown this season. After back-to-back disappointments in the knockout stages, the Brazilian forward is adamant that the trophy is returning to the Santiago Bernabeu.
Real Madrid head coach Jose Mourinho has expressed his bewilderment regarding Inter's lack of recent Champions League success while taking a swipe at the fixture list. The Special One is preparing his side to host his former club at the Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday in their Champions League league phase opener, looking to bounce back from a domestic loss.
Bruno Guimaraes has offered a fascinating insight into the mentality of Mikel Arteta, describing the Arsenal manager as "very obsessed" with continuous improvement. The Brazilian midfielder, who arrived in North London this summer, believes the Spaniard's relentless drive is the primary catalyst behind the Gunners' perfect start to their Premier League title defence.
Real Madrid head coach Jose Mourinho has questioned the competency of VAR after a controversial penalty decision during their defeat against Real Betis. Speaking ahead of his side's Champions League clash with Inter Milan, the Portuguese manager demanded answers regarding officiating decisions involving Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior.
Kylian Mbappe has insisted it is only natural that he is being discussed as a leading candidate for the Ballon d'Or following his historic exploits at the World Cup this summer. Speaking ahead of Real Madrid's Champions League opener against Inter Milan, the French captain admitted that the prestige of playing for the Spanish giants makes the conversation around individual accolades unavoidable.
Former Premier League winner Chris Sutton believes Arsenal are completely unstoppable following their perfect start to the new campaign. The Gunners have secured maximum points from their opening three fixtures, prompting Sutton to declare that their big-spending rivals cannot catch them.
Giovanni van Bronckhorst is preparing Feyenoord for a high-profile Champions League trip to face Barcelona at Camp Nou. Ahead of the encounter, Feyenoord legend and former Indonesia manager Wim Rijsbergen recalled his own 1974 trip to Camp Nou while urging Van Bronckhorst to adopt a compact gameplan.
Kevin De Bruyne is inline to make his first Napoli start as Massimiliano Allegri's side host Arsenal in the Champions League. The Belgian playmaker boasts an incredible career record against the Gunners, giving Napoli a major boost following their recent defeat to Inter Milan.
Enzo Maresca will, as successor to Pep Guardiola, be under immediate pressure to deliver trophies in 2026-27, Dietmar Hamann has told GOAL. The Italian tactician has made a bright start to his reign at the Etihad Stadium, but a man that once played Premier League football in that venue is not convinced that the 46-year-old will be a “successful Manchester City manager”.
Milos Kerkez has urged his Liverpool team-mates to maintain their concentration as the club enters a relentless period of fixtures across three different competitions. The Hungarian defender believes the momentum from Friday's victory at Ipswich Town is vital with Atletico Madrid set to arrive at Anfield for a massive Champions League showdown.
FC Porto maintained their perfect league record with a 2-1 comeback win over Moreirense, but the victory was marred by a frightening injury to Victor Froholdt. Midfielder Froholdt was taken to hospital following a violent red-card challenge, as manager Francesco Farioli turned attention toward a daunting Champions League clash with Manchester City.
Como will host their historic Champions League debut at Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia after UEFA approved the venue following a rapid 90-day redevelopment. The green light spares Cesc Fabregas' side a relocation to Reggio Emilia, ensuring RB Leipzig visit the shores of Lake Como.
Paris Saint-Germain’s goalkeeping hierarchy is once again under the spotlight following a stuttering start to the domestic campaign. Matvei Safonov, who played a pivotal role in the club's European success last term, is facing intense scrutiny after a series of underwhelming performances between the sticks.
Marc Cucurella was forced off with cramps during Real Madrid’s first defeat of the season against Real Betis. The defender now faces a race against time to be fit for Tuesday’s crucial Champions League clash with Inter Milan as Jose Mourinho’s selection crisis worsens.
Paris Saint-Germain have officially secured the long-term future of Luis Enrique, tying the Spaniard down to a new contract that runs until 2030. The former Barcelona boss has completely transformed the Parisian outfit since his arrival, finally delivering the continental success the club has craved for decades.
Aston Villa head coach Unai Emery has left new £25 million signing Taylor Harwood-Bellis out of his 25-man Champions League squad. The 24-year-old defender, who is the son-in-law of Manchester United legend Roy Keane, joined from Southampton on deadline day but faces a waiting game for top-tier European action despite expressing his eagerness to perform on the continent's biggest stage.
Jose Mourinho has finalised his Real Madrid squad for the new Champions League campaign, making a ruthless call to exclude experienced defender Ferland Mendy. The French left-back continues to recover from a long-term muscle injury and has subsequently lost his place in the European squad to a highly rated teenage midfielder.
Federico Chiesa and Wataru Endo have been left out of Liverpool's Champions League squad for the league phase. The Italian winger faces another European snub under Andoni Iraola after experiencing a similar exclusion last season.
Jamie Carragher has warned that Liverpool duo Federico Chiesa and Wataru Endo face bleak futures at Anfield after being excluded from Andoni Iraola’s Champions League squad. The former Reds defender claimed the pair are effectively frozen out of the new manager's plans and suggested they should have been sold.
Ferran Torres has completed a €50 million transfer to Paris Saint-Germain, describing his departure from Barcelona to join the reigning European champions as a massive step forward. The Spanish forward now faces an emotional reunion with his former team-mates in the Champions League later this year.
