Champions League Matches – Thursday, Sept. 18
Thursday wraps up the first round of league-phase fixtures with a diverse mix of encounters. Arsenal travel to face a tough Athletic Club side, while Manchester City and Barcelona take on strong opponents in Napoli and Newcastle, respectively. It's a day built for drama and European flair.
Athletic Club vs. Arsenal
Arsenal travel to Bilbao to take on a gritty Athletic Club side. The Gunners will need to match their hosts' physicality and capitalize on any openings.
Club Brugge vs. AS Monaco
Monaco visit Brugge in a clash that could go either way. Both teams are capable of producing slick attacking moves and defensive lapses.
F.C. København vs. Bayer Leverkusen
Leverkusen head north to face a well-organized Copenhagen side. The Germans are favorites but will need to break down a deep defensive block.
Read also: Champions League Matches – Wednesday, Sept. 17
Eintracht Frankfurt vs. Galatasaray
A fiery clash awaits in Frankfurt, with Galatasaray's passionate support sure to be felt. Frankfurt's physical edge could be the difference.
Manchester City vs. Napoli
Two possession-heavy sides face off at the Etihad. City will aim to dictate terms, but Napoli’s counterattacking speed could cause real problems.
Newcastle United vs. Barcelona
St. James’ Park hosts a blockbuster as Barcelona roll into town. It’s a litmus test for Newcastle’s European ambitions.
Sporting CP vs. Kairat Almaty
Sporting look to open with a commanding home win against Kazakh underdogs Kairat. Expect a possession-heavy performance from the hosts.
Read also: Top 10 NBA Power Forwards Right Now (2025 Edition) — Ranked in Reverse
Read also: The Top 10 NBA Point Guards Right Now (Ranked in Reverse)
