Isak Doubtful for Liverpool vs Atlético; Bayern Host Chelsea

Alexander Isak is set to make his eagerly anticipated debut for Liverpool in their UEFA Champions League opener against Atlético Madrid at Anfield, England, from 10:00 pm EAT.

Liverpool Manager Arne Slot confirmed that the Swedish striker, who joined from Newcastle United for a British record £125 million (Ksh 22 billion), is included in the matchday squad.

However, Slot lowered expectations by stating that Isak will not play the full 90 minutes due to his ongoing recovery after a four-month absence and limited training.

Key Matches UCL Day 2

Liverpool Vs Atletico Madrid

Liverpool begin their Champions League campaign under the floodlights at Anfield, facing familiar rivals Atlético Madrid in what promises to be a tactical and emotional battle.

Liverpool enter this match with a perfect start to their Premier League campaign, winning all four of their opening matches, while Atlético arrive with mixed form and injury concerns.

Atlético Madrid will be without key forward Julian Alvarez due to an ongoing recovery from discomfort sustained in their previous LaLiga game against Villarreal.

Under Arne Slot, Liverpool is expected to control the game with aggressive pressing and quick transitions.

The midfield trio of Szoboszlai, Gravenberch, and Wirtz will be key in dictating tempo and creating chances, with Mohammed Salah remaining Liverpool’s main weapon.

PSG vs Atalanta

PSG, the defending Champions League winners, have started their 2025-26 Ligue 1 campaign strongly, remaining unbeaten so far after winning the UCL last season for the first time in their history.

However, despite being the favourites to win, the French champions enter the match with growing confidence but also a string of injury concerns that could affect their performance.

Wonderkid Ousmane Dembélé is sidelined for six weeks with a muscle injury, while young midfielder Désiré Doué will be out for approximately four weeks, and Kvicha Kvaratskhelia remains a doubt.

Despite these setbacks, Enrique remains optimistic about his team’s prospects.

“We are more confident than last season. Winning the Champions League gave us belief, but we know it also comes with greater expectations. Injuries are part of football. We have the quality to adapt and compete at the highest level.”

Atalanta, managed by Ivan Juric, head into the game as underdogs but with a reputation for being tactically disciplined and difficult to break down.

The Italian side has had a mixed start to the Serie A season, showing flashes of attacking brilliance while struggling defensively against top opponents.

This match marks only the second-ever meeting between PSG and Atalanta in the Champions League.

Their first encounter came in the 2019/20 quarter-finals, where PSG produced a dramatic late comeback to win 2-1 and serves as a reminder to PSG of Atalanta’s ability to challenge elite clubs.

With both sides eager to set the tone for their Champions League campaigns, this clash promises to deliver intensity, drama, and a glimpse of what lies ahead in this season’s competition.

Bayern Munich vs Chelsea

Bayern Munich and Chelsea are set to face each other on Wednesday, 17 September 2025, at the Allianz Arena in Munich for their UEFA Champions League group stage opener from 10:00 pm EAT.

The two clubs have met six times in European competitions, with Bayern Munich leading the series with three wins, one draw, and two losses.

Their most recent encounter was in the 2019–20 Champions League Round of 16, where Bayern secured a commanding 7–1 aggregate victory over Chelsea.

Bayern Munich enters the match in strong form, having won all five of their Bundesliga and cup fixtures this season, with their lethal striker Harry Kane in a prolific form, scoring 12 goals and three assists in 10 games this season so far.

Chelsea, returning to the Champions League after a two-year hiatus, has faced challenges in the Premier League, drawing 2–2 against Brentford in their latest outing.

In a strategic move, Chelsea has utilized a new UEFA regulation to replace injured midfielder Dario Essugo with loan signing Facundo Buonanotte in their Champions League squad.

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The odds are partly in Vincent Kompany’s favor, but Chelsea will aim to leverage their rich history in European competitions and the experience of players like Reece James, who holds the record for the most Champions League appearances among current Chelsea players.

Ajax Vs Internazionale Milano

Ajax Amsterdam return to Champions League action by hosting Inter Milan in their opening match of the 2025-26 Group Stage at the Johan Cruyff Arena from 10.00 pm EAT.

Ajax comes into the game undefeated in their domestic league to this point, boasting a mix of wins and draws.

Internazionale arrived in Amsterdam under pressure to deliver a positive result after losing the Champions League Final last season to PSG, and ended the season without major silverware.

Their most recent outing, a thrilling 4-3 defeat to Juventus, exposed both their attacking quality and defensive vulnerability, which was a blow to their confidence.

Adding to Inter’s concerns is the uncertain fitness of their captain and star forward, Lautaro Martínez, who is battling a back issue and will undergo a late fitness test ahead of the game.

The teams have met five times in official matches, with Inter holding the advantage, having secured three wins, one draw, and one win against Ajax.

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Given the current circumstances, a tightly contested match is expected.