Champions League Returns With Goals, Surprises and a Statement From Como

The Champions League Is Back, and It Did Not Arrive Quietly

The Champions League has returned.

And if the opening three days are anything to go by, the new season is going to be difficult to predict.

The 2026/27 league phase officially began on September 8, bringing 36 teams into the competition under UEFA’s league-phase format. The opening matchday stretched across three days and ended on September 10 with a collection of convincing victories, close contests and one result that immediately caught everyone’s attention.

Manchester United marked their return to Europe’s elite competition with a 4-0 victory over Azerbaijan’s Sabah at Old Trafford, while Bayern Munich produced an equally emphatic result by defeating Bodø/Glimt 5-0.

But the result that may have generated the biggest surprise came from Italy.

Como announced itself on the Champions League stage with a 4-1 victory over RB Leipzig.

For a club making its debut in the competition’s league phase, that was quite an introduction.

United Came Back With a Statement

Manchester United had been away from the Champions League for three seasons.

Their return was therefore always going to attract attention, regardless of the opponent.

Sabah were appearing in the Champions League league phase for the first time, while United were playing their 26th Champions League campaign. UEFA had already highlighted the contrast in European experience between the two clubs before the match.

United eventually made that difference count.

A 4-0 victory gave the English side the perfect start and, perhaps more importantly, gave their supporters a European night to enjoy after a long absence from the competition.

The result also extended United’s strong recent home record in European competition.

The message was simple.

United are back.

And they intend to be taken seriously.

Bayern Did Not Waste Time Either

Bayern Munich were just as ruthless.

The German giants defeated Bodø/Glimt 5-0, immediately putting their attacking strength on display.

There was little room for doubt about the result, with Bayern controlling the contest and turning their first league-phase fixture into a comfortable victory.

For a competition that rewards consistency across eight league-phase matches, starting with a convincing win is exactly what the bigger clubs want.

Bayern got theirs.

Then Como Changed the Conversation

If there was one result that made people stop and look twice, it was Como’s.

The Italian club defeated RB Leipzig 4-1 at the Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia on September 10.

Leipzig managed to pull one goal back through Andrija Maksimović after Como had established a commanding lead, but the German side could not complete the comeback. Como restored its three-goal advantage and finished the night with one of the most impressive debut results of the opening round.

For Como, this was more than three points.

It was a statement about what a Champions League newcomer can do when given the opportunity to compete on the biggest stage.

The club had never previously played in the Champions League league phase.

Its first appearance ended with a four-goal performance against a team with considerably more European experience.

That is the kind of debut that gets remembered.

There Was Drama Elsewhere

The opening matchday was not only about the big wins.

Fenerbahçe and Roma played out a 1-1 draw, while PSV Eindhoven and Shakhtar Donetsk also finished 1-1.

Lens produced one of the night’s most dramatic finishes, scoring twice in stoppage time to defeat Slavia Prague 3-2.

Earlier in the week, Aston Villa began their campaign with a 3-2 win away to Club Brugge, Borussia Dortmund edged Villarreal 3-2 and Manchester City opened with a 2-0 victory over Porto.

Real Madrid also began with a 2-1 win against Inter. Barcelona then produced one of the most emphatic results of Wednesday’s fixtures, beating Feyenoord 5-1, while Paris Saint-Germain defeated Slovan Bratislava 6-1. Arsenal, meanwhile, earned a 1-0 victory away to Napoli.

In other words, there was no shortage of goals.

And there was certainly no shortage of early talking points.

The New Format Is Already Creating Pressure

The 2026/27 Champions League continues with the 36-team league phase rather than the old group-stage system.

Every team has eight league-phase fixtures, with the competition continuing until January 2027 before the knockout stages begin.

That changes the way teams have to approach the competition.

A poor opening result does not eliminate a club, but every point matters as teams fight for their position in the table and their route into the knockout rounds.

That is why an opening win like Como’s can be so valuable.

It is not simply about the three points.

It is about creating momentum before the competition becomes even more demanding.

So, Who Has Made the Biggest Statement?

It is far too early to make predictions about the eventual winner.

But the opening round has already given us a few clues.

Manchester United have announced their return with a four-goal victory.

Bayern Munich have reminded everyone how dangerous they can be.

The established giants have largely started strongly.

And Como have shown that Champions League newcomers are not necessarily arriving just to make up the numbers.

That may be the most exciting part of the new season.

There are still seven league-phase matchdays to come, and the early table will change repeatedly as Europe’s biggest clubs meet one another.

The Road to the Final Has Only Just Begun

The next league-phase matchday is scheduled for October 13 and 14, giving the teams several weeks before the Champions League returns.

By then, some of the opening surprises may look less surprising.

Some early winners may begin to establish themselves as genuine contenders.

And some of the teams celebrating this week may discover just how quickly the Champions League can change.

For now, though, the opening message is clear.

Europe’s biggest club competition is back.

Manchester United are back.

Bayern are already scoring freely.

Como have announced themselves.

And the road to the final has officially begun.

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