Ranking the 10 Best League Phase Matches of 2026–27 Champions League
The 2026–27 Champions League league phase draw took place on Thursday and the results have fans all over the world salivating with anticipation at some simply cant-miss matches that will headline the opening round of Europe’s most prestigious club competition.
The Champions League is officially back and 36 of the best teams on the continent will compete to try and dethrone reigning back-to-back champions Paris Saint-Germain.
The journey to the final at the Metropolitano in Madrid next June starts with the league phase, where every team in the competition will play eight games to try a secure a spot in the knockout rounds.
Every team learned their league phase destiny during Thursday’s draw, and David Villa and Thierry Henry’s magic touch produced some heavyweight clashes in the opening rounds. Some of the biggest clubs in the world will face off during the league phase in matches that could easily be previews of knockout stage clashes once the competition reaches its climax.
Here, Sports Illustrated ranks the 10 best matches of the 2026–27 Champions League league phase following the results of the draw.
10. Inter Milan vs. Liverpool
The toughest away day for Andoni Iraola in his maiden Champions League season will be at San Siro, where Liverpool must navigate a mighty challenge in the form of Serie A champions Inter Milan.
Still, even during the calamitous season the Reds endured in 2025–26 under former boss Arne Slot, they still managed to defeat Inter at their home stadium with a masterfully taken Dominik Szoboszlai penalty in the 88th minute.
Liverpool will travel to face the Nerazzurri for the second season in a row hoping for similar success against the Italian giants.
9. Liverpool vs. Atlético Madrid
Liverpool and Atlético Madrid have delivered some high-octane Champions League clashes ever since their memorable meeting in the 2019–2020 round of 16.
Two of the last three meetings between the two sides have finished 3–2, with spirited comebacks, late goals and drama seemingly always on the cards. The most recent meeting came last September, when Virgil van Dijk’s stoppage time header was required for the Reds to defeat Atléti 3–2 after Diego Simeone’s men erased a two-goal disadvantage.
Big European nights at Anfield are always a spectacle, and Liverpool welcoming the always spirited Rojiblancos stands out as the most compelling home fixture of the league phase for Iraola’s men.
8. Real Madrid vs. Inter Milan
