Champions League League Phase Kicks Off with Real Madrid Win, Arsenal-Napoli Clash

Europe's biggest club competition is back, and the Champions League league phase kicked off Tuesday with a slate that instantly reminded you why this tournament sits above everything else in the sport. Real Madrid hosted Inter Milan in a Bernabeu rematch of last season's knockout drama, which Los Blancos comfortably won 2-1. Arsenal, meanwhile, have an intriguing date against Napoli on Wednesday.

This first matchweek stretches across three days, Tuesday through Thursday, with six matches apiece as all 36 clubs in the expanded league phase begin their eight-game round robin toward the knockout playoffs. It's a format built for chaos and drama in equal measure, and Matchday 1 sets the tone.

Every match streams live on Paramount+, your home for every Champions League game all season long, plus replays, highlights and studio coverage breaking down the race for the top eight. If you haven't signed up yet, now's the time.

Tuesday's slate also features Club Brugge hosting Aston Villa and Lille taking on Real Betis, but all eyes will be on the Bernabeu, where Real Madrid look to open with a statement.

Here are our expert picks for this matchday:

Wednesday

Game of the day: Napoli vs. Arsenal

Player to watch: Riccardo Calafiori, Arsenal: Back in his homeland, Calafiori arrives in Naples garlanded with praise for his early season impact, which includes assists against both Coventry City and Aston Villa. "Far and away the best left back in the Premier League," said Jamie Carragher of the 24-year-old. There's no exaggeration there. -- James Benge

Man of the match: Christos Tzolis, Arsenal: The Greek winger has been one of the surprises of the first part of the season as he shined in the opening games, already delivering three assists in the four matches he played so far in all competitions. The Champions League offers him another opportunity to showcase his qualities, although doing so against Napoli away at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona will be a major challenge. The Azzurri conceded too much space in the second half of their 3-2 defeat to Inter at San Siro, highlighting how Massimiliano Allegri's new cycle is still very much in its early stages. -- Francesco Porzio

Prediction: Napoli 0, Arsenal 2: Arsenal know exactly who they are, to the point that most teams will be hard-pressed to find a winning strategy when they play against them. The Gunners, though, return to the Champions League with a newfound confidence, which will undoubtedly be on display when they return to European play with full intention to win a prize that has long eluded them. For the time being, there's no betting against them, so expect an unfrivolous start to their campaign. -- Pardeep Cattry

Best bet: Both teams to score (-126): You could tell me that almost anything would happen in this game, especially with Scott McTominay being unavailable for Napoli, but both teams will have their attacking chances. Arsenal have been clinical when they've gotten their chances on the ball but Napoli still has Kevin De Bruyne roaming to make things happen from deep in what'll be a game worth keeping an eye on. -- Charles Booth

Thursday

Game of the day: Manchester United vs. Sabah FK

Player to watch: Orphe Mbina, Sabah: I'm not sure I have ever been quite so unaware of a team involved in the Champions League as Sabah, a club that will celebrate the ninth anniversary of their founding two days before they take the field at Old Trafford. On numbers alone, I'm fascinated to see what we get from Mbina, who averaged over six shots per 90 minutes in the qualifying rounds, where he was predominantly used off the bench, scoring a crucial goal to eliminate Hapoel Be'er Sheva and get Sabah to the league phase. -- James Benge

Man of the match: Bryan Mbuemo, Manchester United: After scoring three goals in the opening games of the season, Mbuemo is now called to make his Champions League debut with Manchester United against Sabah, a must-win game for the Red Devils. He definitely has to deliver a Champions League-level performance and Michael Carrick will count on him alongside Marcus Rashford and Benjamin Sesko in the attacking line. -- Francesco Porzio

Prediction: Manchester United 3, Sabah 0: The jury's still out on Manchester United's overall abilities this season but they will be heavily favored against Azerbaijan's surprise champions, who may be in for a brutal Champions League debut at Old Trafford. Count on the hosts to enjoy a routine return to the Champions League days before the Manchester derby serves as a new stressor. -- Pardeep Cattry