Liverpool face Atletico Madrid as UEFA Champions League league phase begins

Liverpool FC host Atletico de Madrid at Anfield in the standout fixture as the opening matchday of the UEFA Champions League league phase continues on Wednesday, 9 September. Six matches are scheduled across Europe, with Paris Saint-Germain, FC Barcelona and Arsenal FC also beginning their campaigns.

The first round of fixtures gives several of Europe’s leading clubs the chance to make an early impression and secure a positive start to the competition. With the league phase getting under way, each side will be looking to put itself in a strong position from the opening round.

Liverpool FC’s meeting with Atletico de Madrid is the headline encounter of the evening. The match at Anfield is the most prominent contest on a schedule featuring clubs from across the continent, with both teams opening their European campaigns against high-level opposition.

Paris Saint-Germain will also begin their UEFA Champions League campaign at home, welcoming Slovan Bratislava to the Parc des Princes. The fixture is one of two matches scheduled for 19:00 GMT.

FC Barcelona are involved earlier in the day, travelling to face Feyenoord Rotterdam. Their match is one of two fixtures starting at 16:45 GMT, alongside VfB Stuttgart’s home game against Viking FK.

Arsenal FC will make their entrance into the competition away from home against SSC Napoli. That match is also scheduled for 19:00 GMT, as are Liverpool FC’s meeting with Atletico de Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain’s game against Slovan Bratislava and Sporting CP’s fixture with Galatasaray SK.

The six-match programme provides an early opportunity for the prominent clubs involved to establish momentum. The opening stage of the league phase is designed to reward teams that begin strongly, making Wednesday’s results an important first marker in the new European campaign.

Wednesday, 9 September: fixtures and kick-off times

All times are in GMT:

– 16:45 FC Barcelona v Feyenoord Rotterdam – 16:45 VfB Stuttgart v Viking FK – 19:00 Paris Saint-Germain v Slovan Bratislava – 19:00 Liverpool FC v Atletico de Madrid – 19:00 SSC Napoli v Arsenal FC – 19:00 Sporting CP v Galatasaray SK

Liverpool FC’s clash with Atletico de Madrid is the evening’s principal fixture, while Paris Saint-Germain’s home meeting with Slovan Bratislava and Arsenal FC’s trip to SSC Napoli add further interest to a busy opening day.

FC Barcelona’s visit to Feyenoord Rotterdam and the meeting between VfB Stuttgart and Viking FK complete the schedule, with both matches taking place at 16:45 GMT.