With Champions League fixtures announced last week, Real Madrid now know their eight opponents in the League Phase and the threat that each one of their opponents poses. Real Madrid will begin their European campaign by hosting Inter Milan, followed by clashes against Roma, Leipzig, AEK Athens, PSV, Arsenal, LASK and Shakhtar Donetsk.
Opening fixtures against Serie A opponents
Inter Milan is no stranger to Jose Mourinho, and the Portuguese manager will surely be keen on the prospect of beating his former side. Inter needs no introduction; the 2023 and 2025 Champions League finalists are no strangers to playing at the biggest stage, and although they will be playing away at the Bernabeu, the Nerazzurri are more than capable of making this a difficult matchup for Los Blancos. With Real Madrid showing rapid improvements under Jose Mourinho, Inter could pose the first real test of whether this team has really grown as a group.
Perhaps a less experienced team in the Champions League as well as a club that has missed out on the big stage over the last few years, Roma is back and ready to challenge amongst Europe’s best. Although Real Madrid enters this clash as the favorite, AS Roma proved to be a force to be reckoned with last year in Serie A only losing three games at their home stadium. With the Giallorossi faithful behind their team, this will yet again be another challenge for Mourinho’s men.
An easier set of fixtures to follow
With the German giants making the trip to Madrid, they will be hoping to test Mourinho’s backline with their deadly counterattacks. However, betting on an upset against the quality of Los Blancos seems a bit too far-fetched for Leipzig. At home at the Bernabeu, Madrid will view this match as a formality but there could be added pressure if they underperform in their first two matches.
It’s been 7 years since the Greek giants last graced the Champions League. While climbing out of the league phase might seem like a mountain to climb, making the competition itself is something they will be proud of. Regardless, AEK Athens will be excited to host the Spanish giants in a game they will be heavy underdogs in.
While PSV do have their quality here and there on the pitch, getting a positive result away at the Bernabeu may seem a bit too far-fetched. This will once again be a game Madrid should be heavy favorites in.
A battle against Arsenal and two final January fixtures
Perhaps their biggest fixture of the season yet, facing Mikel Arteta’s men will surely be a test of how far this Madrid side have come and where they are going. Playing away at the Emirates is never easy for anyone, and it won’t be any easier for Real Madrid. Mourinho’s men will be facing arguably the best defensive side in Europe, but then again, when facing a side of Real’s quality, anything is possible. Real can expect Arsenal to control the middle of the park with their midfield offering a blend of physicality, creativity and intelligence.
To reach the Champions League alone was a massive achievement for the Austrian side LASK, but Los Blancos will see this game as an opportunity to get ahead on goal difference. It would not be a surprise to see a massive scoreline for this one. In their final League Phase match, Shakhtar Donetsk host Real Madrid at Stamford Bridge, and although we expect Shakhtar to put up a test for Los Blancos during the first few minutes, we expect Real Madrid’s quality to be too much for the Ukrainian side.
