UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Season

[bitgolden]

99 pages already? How did you find that many things to talk about during off-season?  

We are about to reach a more attracting phase of the CL. Third qualification round is closing in on us. For now I see 2 matchups decided:

• Feyenoord - Fenerbahçe
• Nice - Benfica

We don't have the odds yet. I don't expect Fenerbahçe to be ready for a new season yet. The classic for Turkish teams. I think Feyenoord and Benfica will be the ones progressing to playoff round.

Feyenoord doesn't look like a great team, I am suspecting that Fenerbahce should be able to get a win there. I understand it may not look great for them on paper yet because they are not even done with their transfers yet and that definitely causes a lot of issues for them.

But when you think about it, they are still better. Benfica should be easily going to next stage, not saying it would be impossible for Nice to go up, but it is clear that Benfica is the better team. So if Benfica wins, and Fenerbahce wins, then they are both facing each other to see who goes to UCL? Is that how it works? If that is the case then I also believe Benfica will be going to UCL because they are better than both Nice and Fenerbahce (and also Feyenoord too).

[Tamaperdana]

One thing about UEFA Champions League, is that the league is open for every teams to participate in playing the competition, so for any teams to be among the UEFA Champions League, it depends on what each team end with in the previous seasons in their leagues and that is why most teams fight to fall among the big 4 in every league across the countries  so that can be allowed to participate in the UEFA Champions League, and this coming season of the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Season, the teams that are qualified to play the competition knows their selfs and once the league starts, they will surely line up to the game.

You're right, the Champions League is a competition open to any club in Europe that manages to get a ticket to participate in it. But you need to know, not all countries in Europe can directly pass their teams that finish in the top 4 or top positions. Because as far as I know, there are only 6 European countries that can directly pass their teams to get directly into the group stage. These countries are

English league
Spanish league ( Laliga )
Italian league ( serie a)
French league ( ligue 1)
German league (Bundesliga)
Portuguese league

In addition to the teams from these countries, all of them have to fight for tickets to the Champions League through the qualifying rounds. And the Champions League qualifiers are currently underway, so you can see which teams have the possibility to qualify for the group stage and compete in the Champions League next season. So the bottom line is that although the Champions League is a competition open to any team in Europe, it's a struggle to participate in it. That's why the teams that manage to become champions in this competition will definitely be very proud.

[Frankolala]

Rodrygo is indeed a very good player, as has been proven, but securing a starting spot is very difficult due to the fierce competition in Real Madrid's attack. Therefore, it would be better for Rodrygo to move to another team, as it would be in the best interests of his future career.

Rodrygo is still quite young and has a long career ahead of him at Real Madrid. If he is patient and continues to improve individually, I'm sure he will gradually earn his starting spot, although there are many rivals for a key role at Real Madrid. Xabi Alonso's journey in the Champions League will certainly be challenging, as many teams are now starting to make changes to strengthen their teams in the competition. The first season won't be smooth sailing, as Xabi Alonso may need to adjust.

I believe that Madrid already know that the first season for Xabi Alonso wouldn't be a superb one. Their corncern is to get a young good coach that can spend time with the team improving their performance overtime. I know that in the next two or three seasons, Real Madrid will be very solid and deadly. If the team is strengthen, no club will be able to win them easily.

[iamsange]

Rodrygo is still quite young and has a long career ahead of him at Real Madrid. If he is patient and continues to improve individually, I'm sure he will gradually earn his starting spot, although there are many rivals for a key role at Real Madrid. Xabi Alonso's journey in the Champions League will certainly be challenging, as many teams are now starting to make changes to strengthen their teams in the competition. The first season won't be smooth sailing, as Xabi Alonso may need to adjust.

I also quite agree with Rodrygo staying at Real Madrid, as he will certainly continue to be used by the team and the Real Madrid coach next season, especially since Real Madrid went through a difficult period with injuries to key players last season. Therefore, next season, Real Madrid must have more great young players to strengthen their position in the Champions League and their domestic league. Because if Real Madrid can't bring in more talented young players next season, at least they shouldn't carelessly let go of the players they already have.

[Princess Leah]

One thing about UEFA Champions League, is that the league is open for every teams to participate in playing the competition, so for any teams to be among the UEFA Champions League, it depends on what each team end with in the previous seasons in their leagues and that is why most teams fight to fall among the big 4 in every league across the countries  so that can be allowed to participate in the UEFA Champions League, and this coming season of the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Season, the teams that are qualified to play the competition knows their selfs and once the league starts, they will surely line up to the game.

You're right, the Champions League is a competition open to any club in Europe that manages to get a ticket to participate in it. But you need to know, not all countries in Europe can directly pass their teams that finish in the top 4 or top positions. Because as far as I know, there are only 6 European countries that can directly pass their teams to get directly into the group stage. These countries are

English league
Spanish league ( Laliga )
Italian league ( serie a)
French league ( ligue 1)
German league (Bundesliga)
Portuguese league

In addition to the teams from these countries, all of them have to fight for tickets to the Champions League through the qualifying rounds. And the Champions League qualifiers are currently underway, so you can see which teams have the possibility to qualify for the group stage and compete in the Champions League next season. So the bottom line is that although the Champions League is a competition open to any team in Europe, it's a struggle to participate in it. That's why the teams that manage to become champions in this competition will definitely be very proud.

You're on point dear, it's the biggest competition in Europe and clubs in big European leagues always do their best to qualify in the best four and get a spot for the tournament, it's very interesting and attracts lots of viewers around the world. Anyways I see you didn't indicate other names for the English and Portuguese league but let me help with that.
English League (Premier League or EPL)
Portuguese League (Primeira Liga or Liga Portugal)

 It's very tough becoming Champions of this particular tournament cause you'll have to be compete with the best teams of the best leagues, I think it's even more difficult for most of those teams who get into the tournament through the qualifying round to win it, for the past years the teams that's won the competition are those who easily go into the tournament without participating in the qualifying rounds.

[Lidger]

Rodrygo is indeed a very good player, as has been proven, but securing a starting spot is very difficult due to the fierce competition in Real Madrid's attack. Therefore, it would be better for Rodrygo to move to another team, as it would be in the best interests of his future career.

Rodrygo is still quite young and has a long career ahead of him at Real Madrid. If he is patient and continues to improve individually, I'm sure he will gradually earn his starting spot, although there are many rivals for a key role at Real Madrid. Xabi Alonso's journey in the Champions League will certainly be challenging, as many teams are now starting to make changes to strengthen their teams in the competition. The first season won't be smooth sailing, as Xabi Alonso may need to adjust.

I believe that Madrid already know that the first season for Xabi Alonso wouldn't be a superb one. Their corncern is to get a young good coach that can spend time with the team improving their performance overtime. I know that in the next two or three seasons, Real Madrid will be very solid and deadly. If the team is strengthen, no club will be able to win them easily.

No, Real Madrid's performance will not be as bad for as long as you think. Real Madrid's performance was bad last season, so this season they will try to make a great comeback. If they cannot make a great comeback this season, then maybe they will fail next season, but in the next season you will definitely see a terrible Real Madrid. In the case of Real Madrid's consistent performance, it has often been seen that their performance in the middle of some seasons was not very good, but in the season when their performance was bad, they made a terrible comeback in the next season. I always have faith in Real Madrid and I believe that they will definitely try to make a great comeback in the next season.

[dezoel]

I believe that Madrid already know that the first season for Xabi Alonso wouldn't be a superb one. Their corncern is to get a young good coach that can spend time with the team improving their performance overtime. I know that in the next two or three seasons, Real Madrid will be very solid and deadly. If the team is strengthen, no club will be able to win them easily.

If team have good depth it's never been problem for them to have good results from start as Arne Slot done at Liverpool Xabi Alonso can do here at Real Madrid because they are having many top quality players, and they needed to be adjusted with his strategy.

They have start in FIFA Club World Cup which was not bad for them now things could be on another level in La Liga and UEFA Champions League which will not new for Xabi Alonso he can manage things as he wants his strategy works at Bayer Leverkusen where he won good matches and trophy as well. Real Madrid problem was defense which hurt them now he is working on this Barcelona is also doing their work this could be amazing season ahead of us with both will do their best and keep things at their best for title.

[BALIK]

The Club World Cup was not an important trophy. Even then  we expected that the psg vs Madrid match to be competitive. But Realmadrid conceded two goals early in the match due to the defenders' fault. And later on, they could not make a comeback. I saw that the players' morale was completely broken.

Real Madrid's players have the ability to perform well. every player in the squad is very talented. Nevertheless, if they want to perform well consistently , the players must be fit and they must be confident. If the players are not confident, it is not possible to get good results against big teams. Alonso is a talented coach, Madrid's squad is also strong. So we all expect Madrid to do well in the Champions League next season.

The club world cup is an important tournament so you saying that it was not an important tournament is not true the fact is that Madrid was not in the right form this season that was why PSG was able to beat them that much let see how Alonso will try and build a new team with this madrid side

I can't agree with you at all. The renowned teams do not consider the FIFA Club World Cup as very important. A total of 32 clubs participated in it. Renowned teams like Barcelona were not in the FIFA Club World Cup. Only manchester city and chelsea played from the Premier league. We do not see giant teams like Arsenal or Liverpool in the FIFA  club World cup either. Except for a few teams, most of the teams were quite weak.

We also saw that most of the teams played in the FIFA club world cup with their second-tier squads. If the clubs consider this an important trophy, then why did the clubs keep their important players out of the squad. Even Real Madrid gave their young players a chance in this tournament. So how can we say that the clubs take this trophy seriously?

[letteredhub]

The Club World Cup was not an important trophy. Even then  we expected that the psg vs Madrid match to be competitive. But Realmadrid conceded two goals early in the match due to the defenders' fault. And later on, they could not make a comeback. I saw that the players' morale was completely broken.

Real Madrid's players have the ability to perform well. every player in the squad is very talented. Nevertheless, if they want to perform well consistently , the players must be fit and they must be confident. If the players are not confident, it is not possible to get good results against big teams. Alonso is a talented coach, Madrid's squad is also strong. So we all expect Madrid to do well in the Champions League next season.

The club world cup is an important tournament so you saying that it was not an important tournament is not true the fact is that Madrid was not in the right form this season that was why PSG was able to beat them that much let see how Alonso will try and build a new team with this madrid side

I can't agree with you at all. The renowned teams do not consider the FIFA Club World Cup as very important. A total of 32 clubs participated in it. Renowned teams like Barcelona were not in the FIFA Club World Cup. Only manchester city and chelsea played from the Premier league. We do not see giant teams like Arsenal or Liverpool in the FIFA  club World cup either. Except for a few teams, most of the teams were quite weak.

BALIK, you don't have to agree but it's the fact, the club world cup is a major tournament now in world major competitions in football. That those teams you mentioned didn't participate in this season's tournament doesn't mean they might not participate next season, and still doesn't make the tournament less of what it is, because there was a criteria in the invitation or qualification of the teams that participated in the club world cup to which teams like Barcelona, Arsenal, Liverpool in their category didn't meet up in the top list.

[Adams0001]

I kind of like the idea because Mbappe is the left winger number one in my opinion and if he gets to play in his preferred position, Real Madrid would finally get the best of him. He has been playing in the center so many games, when he played for PSG he played there too sometimes, but it is not his best position. He will still score a higher number of goals, but he can't give the team as a whole what he could give them if he played in his favorite position. However, there will be big resistance I think from many of those who are either in charge there or negotiated the deals with Vinicius. It could be the right decision if they find the optimal striker.

It's true that Mbappe natural position is on the left wing, but I don't think Xabi Alonso would take a big risk by switching Vinicius to a center forward. Over time, I think Vinicius and Mbappe will develop the desired chemistry, they just need support and creativity from midfield to score more goals next season. In reality, Real Madrid attack doesn't have any major issues, their current weakness lies in defense.

That is the point, real madrid strikes are good the only problem is the defence. And if xabi Alonso will rearrange the defence am sure the team will be more stronger and perform next season very well, and get the opportunity to achieve major trophies. Ancelotti buy Mbappe to play striking role because that is the best place they believe he will get in madrid. Vini Jr can't play centre forward because is not perfect and they won't try to risk him to play the position because he will definitely affect him and the club too. They Just need to look for another centre forward so that they can switch Vini Jr and make Mbappe played is the role, since am thinking Vini Jr is not on is best form anymore but let see how xabi Alonso will do next season with the players and see if they will be more improvement with some key players in the team.

Rodrygo as not get is position in the team anymore, and he need to make decisions before the transfer windows close, he needs to try and move to other club to get is position back because I think xabi Alonso won't used him next season is not on is plan.

[Cossyblack]

In addition, Xabi Alonso who came to Real Madrid will be a little difficult at this time, seeing so many changes that must be made both strategies or thinking about the right position for each player in order to maximize their potential and one thing that is no less important is the fragile defense, this must be addressed as soon as possible, considering the defense is one of Real Madrid biggest problems last season.

If Rodrygo gets more opportunities, I'm sure he could achieve much better performances, as he's quite good. Real Madrid's weak defense is due to several key injuries, preventing the coach from fielding a full squad for matches. The arrival of two new players this season will improve Real Madrid's defense, although they will still need time to adapt. Xabi Alonso's task won't be easy, but I'm confident he can overcome these issues over time, as achieving success in a short time is no easy feat.

Rodrygo is indeed a very good player, as has been proven, but securing a starting spot is very difficult due to the fierce competition in Real Madrid's attack. Therefore, it would be better for Rodrygo to move to another team, as it would be in the best interests of his future career.

Real Madrid under Xabi Alonso's coaching still has a lot of potential. Some doubt it, while others disagree. But I don't think it's right to judge anything now until the season is underway. Personally, I'm quite optimistic about Xabi Alonso, as he is a highly qualified coach despite his lack of experience.

Rodrygo is a very talented player that's have won both the domestic and UEFA Chiampions league for Real Madrid and a lot more. I am not happy the way he is been treated at the club by Xabi Alonso. However Real Madrid have inform him that he is free to leave the club but I don't think Rodrygo is ready to leave Real Madrid. Although Arsenal have indicated their interests on the Brazilian of recent. If I were Rodrygo I would have accepted a moved to Arsenal where I will giving a enough exposure for the sake of my career.
Xabi Alonso is great coach and a lot of persons still doubt it. Coaching a big club like Real Madrid comes with alot of pressure and responsibility and besides leading a big club like Real Madrid to winning the LaLiga trophy isn't a small tasks. Yes Xabi Alonso is man to the task,I believe in his capacity to outpace Real Madrid major Rivals Barcelona for the LaLiga title in the coming season.

[Rockson1]

Of course Real Madrid values Vinicius' contribution to the team, But right now we can see that even though he publicly expressed his desire to remain in this group, his actions still suggest a different situation. Basically, this player has not yet completed a new contract, so I think the longer they negotiate the contract the more opportunities the Saudi Arabian club will have to provoke there and they can definitely become opportunists for this player. At this stage it is probably right that his contract situation is now the main topic of discussion because he may be able to complete this process when he returns from his ongoing vacation.

And don't you think that vacation may likely even pave way for the Saudi club to bid higher, how are we really sure that guy wants to really stay at Realmadrid, we have seen his expression and you've already said that which we know but allowing things to be as it right now doesn't sound nice, this the reason why a big club is not supposed to experience some difficulties but can club fly without experiencing such, it is too bad, the body language of vicious junior doesn't look promising, is as if theres something cooking although we will know in due time, until he does what is needed from him to do in terms of his contract with Real Madrid, I will want to keep as it is, till then.

[CryptoBuds]

Xabi Alonso is great coach and a lot of persons still doubt it. Coaching a big club like Real Madrid comes with alot of pressure and responsibility and besides leading a big club like Real Madrid to winning the LaLiga trophy isn't a small tasks. Yes Xabi Alonso is man to the task,I believe in his capacity to outpace Real Madrid major Rivals Barcelona for the LaLiga title in the coming season.

Xabi Alonso is a great coach, no one will contradict  with this. But Alonso has never taken charge of a big club like Madrid before. He was successful with Leverkusen. The scenarios of Leverkusen and Madrid are completely different. Leverkusen's target was only to secure the Bundesliga title. But Madrid's target is not only to win the La Liga title. Madrid also wants to secure the Champions league and the Copa del Rey title. And it is quite difficult to maintain a good performance consistently in such a busy schedule.

As well , Madrid has a lot of star players in the squad. And controlling so many star players is not an easy task. Even then, since Xabi Alonso is talented, it is expected that he will be able to do this difficult task comfortably.

[KTChampions]

May be because Real Madrid couldn't win the club world cup that is why someone will see the tournament as something that is not important, for the record the tournament is very important and the amount involved is attractive that's why you see the big teams doing everything possible to win the competition but at the end Chelsea was the lucky eam. Real Madrid team suffered from poor form last season but they have a new manager by next season their performance should improve.

This tournament is not considered important (in reality, no one cares about it) because it is a new format of an old tournament that no one needs. Big prize money attracts the interest of clubs, but the way everything was organized this year (holding the tournament in the USA where there are endless problems with the weather and low interest of local fans) rather worsened the image of the tournament than vice versa. Maybe in 4-8-12 years everything will change, but now it’s a pathetic semblance of the Champions League.

[Roseline492]

Yes sir you are right. If Rodrigo works hard during this time then he can go a long way. For example Real Madrid often likes young players. Rodrigo is still young and if he tries his best then he can become a very good player.

Are you saying that Rodrigo is not a good player?, he is not a bad player and was never that kind for all this time, real hasn't forgotten all about him and he was best considered than some players in the club because not all that saw the opportunity he got recently, a lot of players who are not even up for sell could not see all the three matches but in his case he saw all and to even see that he is not bad there was this there match whether the last or the second they substitute Vinicius and put him so the question is will Alonso removed best player to replace with bad player in times like that?.

[Obari]

May be because Real Madrid couldn't win the club world cup that is why someone will see the tournament as something that is not important, for the record the tournament is very important and the amount involved is attractive that's why you see the big teams doing everything possible to win the competition but at the end Chelsea was the lucky eam. Real Madrid team suffered from poor form last season but they have a new manager by next season their performance should improve.

What are we not saying? The Blues was ever ready to win games and have become competitive stands when they face quite elite oppositions. You do see with your eyes what they did to Paris Saint-Germain in the final, beating them 3 nil. Chelsea football club worked hard to lift the trophy and defeated all obstacles on their path. Chelsea was not lucky when they won the club world cup because they've strive so harder for more winnings than any other oppositions. Enzo Maresca backed his players and also implemented one of the very formidable strategy that was luring and key aspect to attract big things coming their way.

[Toro iskandar]

What are we not saying? The Blues was ever ready to win games and have become competitive stands when they face quite elite oppositions. You do see with your eyes what they did to Paris Saint-Germain in the final, beating them 3 nil. Chelsea football club worked hard to lift the trophy and defeated all obstacles on their path. Chelsea was not lucky when they won the club world cup because they've strive so harder for more winnings than any other oppositions. Enzo Maresca backed his players and also implemented one of the very formidable strategy that was luring and key aspect to attract big things coming their way.

I admit Chelsea always tries their best in every competition and in every title race, but I think the Champions League is a different competition than other competitions.
I'm not saying the Club World Cup isn't prestigious, but I think the Champions League is one of the best titles sought after by all European teams, and the competition here is even more competitive.
Chelsea may always try their best to achieve satisfactory results, but in terms of player experience, I don't think they're convincing enough to compete in the Champions League final.

A club full of young players is great in the long run, but a club with older, more experienced players has a greater chance of winning titles.

[banana33]

He definitely have a big challenge for himself because being a real Madrid coach is not an easy task, there are a lot of things to do because there are team that are known to be very strong and also to perform excellently especially in the Champions League which they are known to have a better skills in Winning the trophy. Real Madrid have the ability to win every trophy they play which is why xavi has a lot to do especially now that real Madrid ended this season trophy less facing a lot of humiliation which was never expected but I believe there will do some things. I'm not saying Xavi is not good and equal is saying real Madrid players but no matter the performance they really have to put more effort since Barcelona as their rival her currently in a good shape which I expect a lot of challenges for Real Madrid.

Perhaps you meant Xabi, not Xavi.
I am sure Xabi has analyzed his team, of course looking at the performance of every player he has seen in the Club World Cup competition. He has led and knows the shortcomings of his team. Similarly, he is aware of the situation of their rivals in La Liga and the Champions League. He must have analyzed the strengths of their competitor, Barcelona. How they lost some points to Barcelona in the following season must be a concern. All teams are improving their performance through training and new recruits. Xabi must have prepared for it as well.

I hope he makes it, if he doesn't manage to get through the first period we know how it goes in these teams, to be replaced it will take very little and above all he must not give in to the pressure that the newspapers and all the commentators ready to defame you will put on him, he must stay focused and do his job, even if it is not easy.

[moneystery]

What are we not saying? The Blues was ever ready to win games and have become competitive stands when they face quite elite oppositions. You do see with your eyes what they did to Paris Saint-Germain in the final, beating them 3 nil. Chelsea football club worked hard to lift the trophy and defeated all obstacles on their path. Chelsea was not lucky when they won the club world cup because they've strive so harder for more winnings than any other oppositions. Enzo Maresca backed his players and also implemented one of the very formidable strategy that was luring and key aspect to attract big things coming their way.

it's true that their win against PSG yesterday was impressive, but that doesn't mean their chances of winning the champions league have significantly improved. we haven't even seen their performance in the premier league yet, so we can't conclude whether their performance has improved or not. furthermore, chelsea have been known for their inconsistent form in recent seasons. they can perform exceptionally in a big match, like against PSG, but then disappoint against mid-table or lower-tier teams. so, while the win deserves some praise, it doesn't necessarily mean they're now strong favorites to win the champions league.

[SuperBitMan]

What are we not saying? The Blues was ever ready to win games and have become competitive stands when they face quite elite oppositions. You do see with your eyes what they did to Paris Saint-Germain in the final, beating them 3 nil. Chelsea football club worked hard to lift the trophy and defeated all obstacles on their path. Chelsea was not lucky when they won the club world cup because they've strive so harder for more winnings than any other oppositions. Enzo Maresca backed his players and also implemented one of the very formidable strategy that was luring and key aspect to attract big things coming their way.

I admit Chelsea always tries their best in every competition and in every title race, but I think the Champions League is a different competition than other competitions.
I'm not saying the Club World Cup isn't prestigious, but I think the Champions League is one of the best titles sought after by all European teams, and the competition here is even more competitive.
Chelsea may always try their best to achieve satisfactory results, but in terms of player experience, I don't think they're convincing enough to compete in the Champions League final.

A club full of young players is great in the long run, but a club with older, more experienced players has a greater chance of winning titles.

Is possible for Chelsea to win next seasons champions League title, Chelsea is a good and strong club that is always determine and for the fact that they defeated PSG who was seen as the strongest team in the world and lift the FIFA club world cup I can't say they can't lift the champions League title, now which club are playing in champions League that you feel Chelsea can't win it if Chelsea can't win PSG, is it Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Liverpool, real Madrid, inter Milan etc that can stop them, Chelsea is qual to the task.
Talking about players yes Chelsea has a lot of young players and when it comes to football you can't use how long one has been playing football to measure how good and experience one is, one can be playing football for years and a young player starts and become more better and experience than the older player, so don't think that because Chelsea has more of younger players they can't win champions League, the players that is making Barcelona shine are they not Young players.