It seems an age since Gabriel Magalhaes‘ penalty flew over the bar in Budapest, breaking Arsenal hearts as PSG were crowned Champions League winners for the second season in a row.
But, just over three months on Europe’s premier club competition is back, with the league phase starting on Tuesday. That kicks off eight gameweeks across the next four-and-a-half months before the knockout rounds take centre stage.
The drama will run all the way to June 5, with the final at Atletico Madrid‘s Metropolitano.
So, ahead of the action getting under way, Daily Mail Sport has picked out six reasons to be excited about the return of the Champions League….
The Champions League returns tonight, just over three months since PSG won the competition for the second year in a row
Can underdogs stun Europe again?
Bodo/Glimt won the hearts of many fans last year as they managed to reach the round of 16 after a magical run.
The team massively surpassed expectations and even beat the likes of Manchester City, Inter Milan and Atletico Madrid.
They were the undisputed dark horses of the competition, and they will be hoping to once again cause upsets this time around.
The Norwegian champions had a quiet transfer window i terms of signings but more importantly were able to retain most of their squad, with only striker Kasper Hogh departing to Celtic.
Or maybe we will see a new underdog emerge? One potential option is Austrian side LASK, who are making their Champions League debut.
Another is Azerbaijan champions Sabah, who were founded just eight years ago and battled through four qualifying rounds to reach this stage. First up? A trip to Manchester United.
Bodo/Glimt will hope to back up last year’s fairytale Champions League run this season
How will Jose Mourinho fare back in Spain?
Real Madrid have had a big summer, with several new players joining the team including Yan Diomande, Bernardo Silva, Marc Cucurella, Ibrahima Konate and Denzel Dumfries.
But there has also been change in the dugout with Jose Mourinho returning for a second spell as manager, 13 years after he left the club.
The Special One is looking to bring glory back to Real by winning their 16th Champions League title, after two quarter-final exits in a row.
The Portuguese manager has a squad full of world-class talents like Vinicius Junior, Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham, yet his biggest challenge may be in controlling the dressing room, after the squad faced several disciplinary problems last season.
They kick off their campaign on Tuesday night as they welcome Inter Milan to the Bernabeu.
Jose Mourinho is back at Real Madrid and will have his eyes set on another trophy with the club
Man United are back!
Manchester United return to the Champions League for the first time since 2023-24 after an impressive league campaign where they finished third under Michael Carrick.
The Red Devils will look to try to compete once again, and they will no doubt be leaning on the quality of Bruno Fernandes, who had a remarkable season last year as he broke the assist record in the Premier League.
Despite being widely regarded as one of the continent’s top stars, Fernandes has spent just two of his five full seasons at United playing in Europe’s elite competition – and they’ve never passed the round of 16 in that time. This is his big chance to help them mark their mark.
There are warning signs, admittedly. United have had a mixed start to the Premier League, picking up just four points from their first three games, and although it is exciting to be back in Europe, the increase in fixtures will test the depth of Michael Carrick’s squad.
Michael Carrick helped Man United return to the competition after he replaced Ruben Amorim
Can PSG do the three-peat?
This season gives PSG the opportunity to be just the second team in the modern Champions League era to win three titles in a row after Real Madrid achieved the feat between 2016 and 2018.
Their squad remains as strong as ever despite the loss of Bradley Barcola, Goncalo Ramos and Ibrahim Mbaye.
As well as retaining key stars like Ousmane Dembele, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Desire Doue, and their Portuguese midfield duo of Joao Neves and Vitinha, they have been active in the market, bringing in players such as Lucas Digne, Ferran Torres and Maghnes Akliouche.
PSG have started their league campaign poorly, with Luis Enrique’s side taking just two points from three games, giving them some early questions to answer.
Luis Enrique’s PSG side are hoping to win their third successive Champions League title
Can Mbappe secure elusive title?
Kylian Mbappe has achieved nearly all you can as a footballer. He was the Champions League Golden Boot winner last season and also won that award at the World Cup.
He has also won the domestic title with PSG, the Super Cup with Real Madrid and in 2018 the World Cup with France.
These achievements establish him as one of the greatest players in the modern era , yet he is still chasing one trophy – the Champions League.
Mbappe is yet to conquer European football, failing to win the competition at PSG, Monaco and Real Madrid.
This year feels like one of the best chances for the Frenchman to fulfill his dreams after Real reshaped their squad significantly in the summer after a difficult 2025-26 season.
Kylian Mbappe is still yet to win the Champions League despite his glittering career so far
Arsenal’s tough run
Arsenal are kicking off their Champions League campaign against Napoli, looking to kick on from their heartbreaking defeat in the final by PSG last season.
The Gunners have started the season superbly, with three Premier League wins in a row, including a brilliant performance against Chelsea on Sunday.
Having finally won the Premier League last season, the next frontier for Mikel Arteta’s side is the Champions League.
However, it won’t be easy, with Arsenal set to take on Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund in the league phase.
This season’s European campaign promises to be an intriguing test for the Gunners, yet they will fancy their chances of going all the way this time.
