The UEFA Champions League has officially commenced its new season with an eventful Matchday 1. Tuesday`s fixtures saw dominant performances from Arsenal, a hard-fought rally by Real Madrid against Marseille, and two underdog teams securing their first-ever Champions League victories. Meanwhile, Borussia Dortmund and Juventus engaged in a remarkable eight-goal second half, culminating in a thrilling 4-4 draw. On Wednesday, Liverpool unfortunately squandered a two-goal lead against Atletico Madrid.
This opening Matchday spans three days – Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday – shining a spotlight on Europe`s elite clubs as they begin their journey toward the final on May 30th at Budapest`s Puskas Arena. A highlight of the week is Chelsea`s trip to face Bayern Munich, marking the Blues` return to the competition after a two-year absence and setting up a captivating encounter between English attackers Cole Palmer and Harry Kane.
These initial matches serve as an important early assessment for many of the continent`s top teams. Some are adjusting to new management, while others are experimenting with fresh tactical styles. Xabi Alonso, coaching his first Champions League match for Real Madrid, brought stability but narrowly avoided a setback after his bold decision to exclude Vinicius Jr. from the starting lineup. Similarly, Liverpool`s revamped, attack-minded squad is eager to make a strong impression against Atletico Madrid.
The sports analysts have provided their expert picks and predictions, detailed below.
Thursday`s Matches
| Matchup | James Benge | Francesco Porzio | Pardeep Cattry | Chuck Booth | Roger Gonzalez |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Copenhagen vs. Leverkusen | 1-0 | 1-2 | 0-2 | 0-3 | 2-0 |
| Club Brugge vs. Monaco | 0-0 | 1-0 | 0-2 | 2-2 | 0-2 |
| Eintracht Frankfurt vs. Galatasaray | 1-0 | 1-2 | 1-1 | 3-3 | 1-1 |
| Sporting vs. Kairat | 2-0 | 3-0 | 2-0 | 2-0 | 2-0 |
| Newcastle vs. Barcelona | 1-3 | 2-3 | 1-2 | 0-3 | 1-1 |
| Man City vs. Napoli | 2-0 | 2-2 | 1-1 | 1-2 | 1-1 |
Game of the Day: Newcastle vs. Barcelona
Player to Watch: Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona)
The brilliant Lewandowski was a prolific scorer at this stage of last season`s competition, netting nine of the eleven goals he would eventually score in the 2024-25 Champions League. He enters this game well-rested, having played just 22 minutes against Valencia, yet still managed to find the net twice. It appears that Hansi Flick prioritizes keeping the 37-year-old fit and sharp for the biggest matches, and this encounter is certainly one of them.
Man of the Match: Raphinha (Barcelona)
Following his impressive brace in the last home match against Valencia, Raphinha is expected to start and deliver another strong performance on Thursday against Newcastle. Despite starting from the bench in that game, the Brazilian winger immediately demonstrated why he is regarded as one of the world`s top attackers when he became involved in the action. Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski also made history by becoming the first pair of teammates since the start of the 2015-16 season in Europe`s top five leagues to both come off the bench and score a brace in the same match, highlighting the crucial depth within manager Hansi Flick`s squad.
Prediction: Newcastle United 1, Barcelona 2
Lamine Yamal will be a notable absence for Barcelona, but the strength of Hansi Flick`s team lies in its distributed goalscoring responsibilities. Players like Raphinha and Ferran Torres are fully capable of contributing in Yamal`s absence. Expect a closely contested match against a Newcastle United side known for its defensive solidity. However, Newcastle may lack the attacking prowess needed to fully capitalize on Barcelona`s occasionally vulnerable back line. While Nick Woltemade scored on his debut, filling Alexander Isak`s shoes is a formidable task, and the Champions League will provide a significant test of Woltemade`s ability to adapt to his new role.
Best Bet: Raphinha to Score (+160)
Benched over the weekend after arriving late, Raphinha responded emphatically with a brace from the bench. With Lamine Yamal out of the match, increased pressure will fall on the Brazilian to find the back of the net, a challenge he has proven quite effective at handling. This Barcelona team boasts considerable depth and is set to pose significant problems for Newcastle United on Thursday.
