UEFA Champions League 2026-2027 league phase begins

The 2026-2027 UEFA Champions League league phase begins this Tuesday, featuring a 36-team format. A marquee matchup features Real Madrid hosting Inter Milan at the Santiago Bernabéu. Real Madrid, managed by José Mourinho, enters the match following a recent domestic loss to Real Betis, while Inter Milan, led by Christian Chivu, currently shares the top of Serie A.

Key players to watch include Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappé and Inter Milan’s Lautaro Martínez. Real Madrid will be without Bernardo Silva, Eduardo Camavinga, Arda Güler, and Aurélien Tchouaméni, while Inter Milan will miss Federico Dimarco due to injury.

There is significant interest in the performance of Moroccan players across Europe’s top clubs. Notable participants include Achraf Hakimi (Paris Saint-Germain), Brahim Díaz (Real Madrid), Noussair Mazraoui (Manchester United), and Ismaël Saibari (Bayern Munich).

Experts have offered varying predictions for the tournament. While Paris Saint-Germain seeks a third consecutive title, some analysts suggest Arsenal or Bayern Munich may be stronger contenders for the final, citing Arsenal’s defensive strength.