Champions League Matchday 2: Big Talking Points & Full Fixture List

The UEFA Champions League returns this week for Matchday 2, and the schedule is packed with massive fixtures, potential upsets, and emotional storylines across Europe. From José Mourinho’s Stamford Bridge homecoming, to Barcelona taking on PSG – there’s plenty to watch out for.

Here are the full fixtures and the key talking points to follow.

Full UCL fixture list for Matchday Two

Tuesday 30 September
Atalanta vs Club Brugge
Kairat vs Real Madrid
Atletico Madrid vs Eintracht Frankfurt
Bodø/Glimt vs Tottenham Hotspur
Chelsea vs Benfica
Galatasaray vs Liverpool
Inter Milan vs Slavia Prague
Marseille vs Ajax
Pafos vs Bayern Munich

Wednesday 1 October
Qaraba? vs Copenhagen
Union Saint-Gilloise vs Newcastle United
Arsenal vs Olympiakos
Barcelona vs PSG
Bayer Leverkusen vs PSV
Borussia Dortmund vs Athletic Club
Monaco vs Manchester City
Napoli vs Sporting CP
Villarreal vs Juventus

?? ????? ?????? ?? ???? ???? ????? ?? ??? ???? ??

Are you ready to go 1Up?! ?

— Bet9ja: The home of #betBOOM! ? (@Bet9jaOfficial) September 29, 2025

History in Kazakhstan – Kairat vs Real Madrid
Tuesday 30 Sept, 17:45

Kairat are making history this season, and Tuesday will see them host Real Madrid in their first-ever Champions League home match. The Kazakh champions came through qualifying with famous wins over Celtic and Slovan Bratislava, and they remain unbeaten in four European home games this year.

Now, they welcome the most successful club in Champions League history. Real Madrid arrive wounded after a 5-2 derby defeat to Atletico, but Xabi Alonso’s side still boast Kylian Mbappé, Jude Bellingham, and Vinícius Jr in attack. Expect Madrid to dominate possession, but Kairat will be banking on their fortress-like home form and passionate support in Almaty. This is the biggest game in the club’s history.

Mourinho returns to Stamford Bridge – Chelsea vs Benfica
Tuesday 30 Sept, 20:00

Stamford Bridge will welcome back José Mourinho, now in charge of Benfica, as he takes charge of his first Champions League game for the Portuguese giants. Mourinho, who won three Premier League titles with Chelsea across two spells, is sure to receive a lively reception in West London.

Chelsea, under Enzo Maresca, opened with a 3-1 defeat to Bayern Munich and come into this after a mixed domestic run. Injuries and inconsistency are hurting the Blues, but Benfica’s shock 3-2 home defeat to Qaraba? on Matchday 1 means the Portuguese side arrive under pressure too.

Chelsea have won all three previous European meetings with Benfica, including the 2013 Europa League Final. With history, home advantage, and Mourinho’s return in the mix, this fixture has all the ingredients for drama.

Osimhen and Salah chasing history – Galatasaray vs Liverpool
Tuesday 30 Sept, 20:00

Liverpool are riding high domestically and made a strong start to their European campaign with a thrilling 3-2 win over Atletico Madrid. Now Arne Slot’s side face one of Europe’s most intimidating atmospheres in Istanbul against Galatasaray.

The Turkish champions are in poor continental form, winless in seven UEFA matches, and lost heavily to Eintracht Frankfurt on Matchday 1. But at home they are dangerous, having beaten English sides in the past.

All eyes will be on Victor Osimhen, who sits on nine Champions League goals. One more would make him the first Nigerian player to reach double figures in the competition proper. Meanwhile, Mohamed Salah is chasing the 50-goal milestone in the Champions League, needing just two more to become the first African player to reach it.

Bayern out to spoil Pafos party – Pafos vs Bayern Munich
Tuesday 30 Sept, 20:00

Cypriot champions Pafos play their first-ever home match in the Champions League, welcoming six-time winners Bayern Munich to the Alphamega Stadium. After a spirited 0-0 draw away at Olympiakos on Matchday 1, Pafos will be dreaming of an upset against the German giants.

Bayern opened with a 3-1 win over Chelsea, led by Harry Kane and Michael Olise. Vincent Kompany’s side are unbeaten in 15 European matches against debutant opponents and arrive in excellent form. Pafos, however, are unbeaten in seven European games this season and boast a strong home record, with only one defeat in their last 11 continental matches on Cypriot soil.

The gulf in quality is clear, but the atmosphere promises to be electric as Pafos play the biggest match in their history.

Clash of the Week – Barcelona vs PSG
Wednesday 1 Oct, 20:00

Barcelona against Paris Saint-Germain is one of modern football’s defining rivalries, and their latest meeting is arguably the standout tie of Matchday 2. Barça began their campaign with a 2-1 win at Newcastle, while PSG demolished Atalanta 4-0.

The history is rich: from Barça’s unforgettable 2017 “Remontada” to PSG’s recent 4-1 wins in Spain. Barcelona are unbeaten in their last eight group-stage matches at home, scoring three or more goals in six of those. PSG, meanwhile, have scored four goals in each of their last three Champions League games.

Hansi Flick’s side are top of La Liga after Real Madrid’s derby slip, while PSG are the defending champions. The Parisians have though been dealt brutal blow ahead of this showdown – as captain Marquinhos joins Ballon d’or winner Ousmane Dembele, Joao Neves and Desire Doue on injury list. This heavyweight clash could shape the destiny of the group.

Ballon d'Aura ???pic.twitter.com/jNLGJigTzy

— Bet9ja: The home of #betBOOM! ? (@Bet9jaOfficial) September 29, 2025

Memories of 2017 – Monaco vs Manchester City
Wednesday 1st Oct, 20:00

This fixture brings back memories of the 2016/17 Round of 16, when Monaco stunned Manchester City with a 3-1 home win to progress on away goals after a 6-6 aggregate thriller.

City arrive in Monaco on a poor European away run, losing their last four Champions League games outside the Etihad. Erling Haaland is set to make his 50th appearance in the competition and is already closing in on Ruud van Nistelrooy’s record of most goals in a player’s first 50 UCL appearances.

Monaco, however, were hammered 4-1 by Club Brugge on Matchday 1 and have now lost five of their last seven games in the competition. Still, with goals flying in their recent matches domestically and in Europe, this could be another high-scoring encounter.

The Champions League never disappoints, and Matchday 2 promises fireworks. Can Kairat shock Real Madrid in Kazakhstan? Will Mourinho inspire Benfica back at Stamford Bridge? Back your bets on all the action here with Bet9ja!