The opening match of the new Champions League season ignites the green flames

In the early morning of September 17, 2025, the lights of the Bernabeu Stadium poured down like a galaxy. In the tsunami of 70,000 fans, the opening match between Real Madrid and Marseille officially blew the whistle. This not only marks the grand opening of the 71st Champions League, but also symbolizes the official opening of the most intense competition in European football.

When Arsenal's entire team stepped into the San Mames Stadium, the Basque lion flag of Athletic Bilbao surged into a red ocean in the stands. The Gunners spent 120 million euros this summer to build a sharp front line weapon - Swedish forward Yorke, who is now holding the leg guards on the sidelines. The 22-year-old Nordic star carries all the ambitions of Arteta's tactical innovation. His swift vertical breakthrough and precise sense of penalty area will face the test of La Liga's most fierce defense. Data shows that Athletic Bilbao only conceded 9 goals at home last season, while Arsenal has remained unbeaten in 11 away games across the season. This contradictory battle may determine the group qualifying pattern.

At Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in north London, Italian coach Frank was standing in front of the coach's seat to sort out his suit. This tactical master who led Verona to create a miracle of relegation last season has handed over the top three of the league after taking over Tottenham's coach this summer. Facing the visiting "yellow submarine" Villarreal, he holds the weapon of Kane's successor Isaac. From preseason to Premier League, the Norwegian center has contributed stunning stats with 6 goals and 3 assists. However, Emery's La Liga powerhouse should not be underestimated. The passing and control system with a success rate of 87% will test Tottenham's newly built midfield barrier.

The focus of the Bernabeu is always on Mbappe. The French superstar has once again confronted his home country team in the Champions League after five years. His confrontation with Marseille central defender Gigo is the pinnacle of modern football. Data shows that Mbappe completed 5.3 successful breakthroughs per 90 minutes in the new season, while Gigo's interception success rate is as high as 79%. What is more worthy of attention is that the two wings formed by Vinicius and Rodrigo fly together, which is a pair of Brazilian twins who jointly contributed 42 goals and 23 assists last season, and now it will have more room for interspersion in Ancelotti's 352 system.

The smoke of the Allianz Arena in Turin is filled with the breath of history. When Juventus and Dortmund, an old opponent who had not met in the European war for 28 years, met again, the youthful showdown between Vlahovic and Adejemi became the biggest highlight. Croatian midfielder Susic, introduced by the Zebras this summer, has the highest score in Serie A with 3.1 chances every 90 minutes, and will face the strangle of Bellingham's successor Sabitzer. It is interesting to note that both teams are in a period of renewal, and this confrontation may become a touchstone for the new generation of players to establish their status.

As lights are on at various stadiums one after another, the first round of the 2025/26 Champions League is destined to be recorded in history. From the Iberian Peninsula to the British Isles, from the Apennines to the banks of the Rhine, 36 strong teams will launch eight rounds of fierce battles in the next four months. When traditional tycoons encounter a storm of innovation, when youth storms collide with tactical revolution, every offense and defense on the green field is writing a new legend. The spark has burned tonight, let's see who can be the first to play the triumphal song of victory in this football feast that lasts the entire season.