UEFA Champions League Matchweek 1 Preview: Heavyweights Clash
The first matchweek of the 2026-27 UEFA Champions League wraps up on Thursday, and it does so with a heavyweight feel. Manchester United are back under the European lights, Bayern Munich begin another tilt at the one trophy that defines their seasons, and a string of ambitious outsiders look to punch above their weight.
Here’s how Thursday’s card shapes up.
PSV vs Shakhtar Donetsk: Dutch power vs European survivors
PSV have been operating a level above the rest of the Eredivisie for a while, and they open their campaign in Eindhoven against a Shakhtar Donetsk side that, once again, arrive as domestic champions but as a club still carrying the weight of a war-torn home.
Peter Bosz leans on a familiar, attack-minded blueprint. Ivan Perisic gives control and guile in midfield, while USMNT striker Ricardo Pepi leads the line. Another USMNT regular, Sergino Dest, has committed his future to the club and stays locked in at right-back.
PSV are not at full strength. Mauro Junior is out, and Jerdy Schouten remains a long-term absentee with a knee injury. Yet the Dutch champions still bring a settled, confident core.
Shakhtar remain Shakhtar. The model hasn’t changed: top Ukrainian talent mixed with a wave of young Brazilians, all now under the direction of Arda Turan. Six Brazilians are expected in the starting XI, including striker Kaua Elias, with three of them forming an energetic, fearless front line. They arrive shorthanded too, missing Marlon and several other first-choice players, but they rarely arrive timid.
At home, PSV will carry the tag of favorite. Shakhtar, though, have enough in attack to keep this open and dangerous.
Prediction: PSV 3-2
Fenerbahce vs Roma: Big spenders meet a side on the rise
Two clubs with surging expectations collide in Istanbul. Fenerbahce have thrown their financial weight around to muscle back into the Champions League. Roma, rebuilt and re-energised, return to the competition with a clear identity under Gian Piero Gasperini.
Fenerbahce’s weekend brought a jolt: defeat to Besiktas. But they did the job in the playoff round against Lyon and their squad screams ambition. Mason Greenwood offers direct threat from the wing, Nathan Ake anchors the back line at centre-back, and Ederson stands behind them in goal. Up front, Romelu Lukaku gives them a heavyweight option at striker, the kind of presence that can turn tight European nights.
Roma’s edge is built around Donyell Malen. The Dutch international is the focal point, constantly supplied by the craft of Paulo Dybala, a long-time leader in the capital, and the fearlessness of Portuguese teenager Rodrigo Mora. Under Gasperini, Roma have started Serie A perfectly, a sign that the ideas have landed and the squad has bought in.
Fenerbahce’s crowd will drive them on, and that usually counts for something. Roma, though, bring a ceiling that feels higher than it has in years.
Prediction: 1-1 draw
Sabah vs Manchester United: Debut dream vs a club chasing old standards
Sabah step into the Champions League for the first time. An Azeri debutant, through a long, twisting playoff route, now standing opposite Manchester United on opening night. For Sabah, every point in this league phase would be a story told for years. For United, this is supposed to be the start of a return to normal.
Michael Carrick leads United into Europe with the Premier League campaign still sputtering. Four points from their first three league games is hardly the launch they wanted, so the Champions League arrives as both a test and an opportunity to reset.
The squad sheet brings worries. Marcus Rashford may miss out after limping off against Everton. Manuel Ugarte and Amad Diallo are also among the absentees. That could open the door for Benjamin Sesko to start up front. Around him, the summer business will be under the microscope: Carlos Baleba from Brighton, Andrey Santos from Chelsea, and Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa all add fresh options in midfield.
Sabah, by contrast, play with house money. Their squad is diverse and intriguing. Christian Nwachukwu, a 20-year-old Nigerian winger, will draw plenty of focus, while Rwandan striker Joy Lance Mickels brings experience and presence through the middle. They will not be fancied in any league phase fixture, but they will be fearless.
They might find a moment, maybe even a goal. But this night is set up for United to remind themselves what dominance in Europe is supposed to look like.
Prediction: Manchester United 3-0
Bodo/Glimt vs Bayern Munich: The dark horse that no longer surprises
Bodo/Glimt are no longer the unknown name on the fixture list. They’ve earned their reputation as Europe’s favorite dark horse, and their 6-5 aggregate thriller against Union Saint-Gilloise in the playoff round underlined their attacking intent.
They hit Matchday 1 already in full stride. The Norwegian league starts early, and through 19 games Bodo have 47 points and a +34 goal difference. Patrick Berg anchors a side that is in mid-season form, but they arrive with key absences: two starting midfielders, including Hakon Evjen, are out, as is forward August Mikkelsen.
On the other side stands Bayern Munich, with the usual burden. They dominate the Bundesliga, season after season, yet Champions League glory keeps slipping away. Vincent Kompany knows exactly how his tenure will be judged.
The XI is stacked. Harry Kane, Luis Diaz, and Michael Olise form the attacking core, with Alphonso Davies driving from the back. Bayern chose continuity in the transfer window, backing a veteran squad that understands the mission: lift the trophy next summer.
Bodo will test them, especially at home and in this rhythm. Bayern, though, are built to handle these nights and to set a tone that carries deep into spring.
Prediction: Bayern Munich 3-1
Slavia Praha vs RC Lens: Chance for a reset in Prague
Slavia Praha return to a competition that bruised them last season. They were one of three clubs to finish the previous League Phase without a single win, a harsh reality for the best team in Czechia. This is their shot at a reset.
They welcome an RC Lens side that has its own concerns. European experience at this level is thin, and they come into this game on the back of consecutive defeats in Ligue 1. Balancing a domestic campaign with the grind of the Champions League league phase could stretch them.
Slavia are not at full strength. Lukas Provod, David Zima, and Tomas Holes are all sidelined, robbing them of depth and stability. Lens, meanwhile, lean heavily on Florian Thauvin, the standout attacking midfielder and their most dangerous individual.
Prague will sense opportunity. Slavia’s fans know this is the kind of home fixture that can rewrite a narrative in one night.
Prediction: Slavia Praha 2-1
Como vs RB Leipzig: A lakeside debut with real bite
The Champions League arrives on the shores of Lake Como, and the hosts are not here to make up the numbers. Como, guided by Cesc Fabregas, share a philosophy with RB Leipzig: develop elite talent, sell smart, reinvest, repeat. On Thursday, those models collide.
Como’s XI has star power and intrigue. In the No. 10 role sits 22-year-old Nico Paz, widely tipped as a potential heir to Lionel Messi in the Argentina setup. On one flank, Croatian international Martin Baturina brings creativity; on the other, Senegal international Assane Diao adds pace and direct running. Moise Kean offers a muscular option at striker. For their Champions League debut, they have the stage and the crowd.
Leipzig arrive with mixed signals. They’ve split their opening Bundesliga results and still feel like a team searching for a clear identity under Martin Demichelis. The preferred XI includes Morocco international Neil El Aynaoui and Norway’s Antonio Nusa out wide, both capable of stretching defenses. They are, however, without Romulo and Christoph Baumgartner, while former Chelsea forward Marc Guiu is a fresh face in attack.
Leipzig’s model is proven, but the current version doesn’t fully convince. Como, by contrast, look ready to challenge for a Serie A title and to make noise beyond Italy.
Prediction: Como 3-1
The curtain falls on Matchday 1 with giants under pressure and newcomers unafraid. By the time Thursday night is done, we’ll know which of them plans to stay in this competition’s story a lot longer than expected.
