Welcome to the 12th episode of Game View for the 2025-26 season. This article will cover the major world football events from September 30th to October 1st, Pacific Time:
September 30th, 9:45 AM, Champions League: Kairat vs. Real Madrid
This is the first time the two teams have met in European competition. Last weekend, both teams played a domestic league match. Kairat defeated Gennes 3-1 at home, bringing their home record to 6 wins and 2 draws in their last 8 home games, a very strong home record. Real Madrid suffered a crushing 2-5 away defeat to Atletico Madrid in La Liga, ending their seven-game winning streak at the start of the season. Kairat's home goalkeeper, Łaz Zarutsky, was absent due to injury, a significant blow to their defense. Offensively, the team relies heavily on the performance of 17-year-old rising star Sapatyev, currently the team's top scorer. Real Madrid, with Rüdiger, Mendy, and Alexander-Arnold out due to injuries and Carvajal suspended, is left without an available right-back. Valverde and other players are expected to be used in a guest role. Offensively, Mbappé is the team's driving force, having scored in seven consecutive games for club and country.
September 30, 12:00 PM, Champions League, Chelsea vs. Benfica
The two teams have met four times in international competition, with Chelsea undefeated, including a 4-1 extra-time victory over Benfica in this summer's Club World Cup. Last weekend, both teams played a domestic league match. Chelsea suffered a 3-1 home defeat to Brighton, losing three of their last four games. Benfica defeated Givisente 2-1 at home, extending their unbeaten streak to three games. Chelsea are facing a desperate situation in this match. With Colwell, Fofana, Palmer, Delap, and Adarabioyo out due to injuries, and key players both in the front and backfields missing, Pedro, who has not scored in four consecutive games, will be under immense pressure to score. For Benfica, Pavlidis, with his seven goals, is the biggest threat to the Blues' defense.
September 30th, 12:00 PM, Champions League: Galatasaray vs. Liverpool
The two teams have met four times in European competition, each winning one match and splitting the match. In their two away matches, Galatasaray only managed one draw and one loss. Last weekend, both teams played a domestic league match. Galatasaray defeated Alanya 1-0 away, making it seven wins in eight games this season. Galatasaray also boasts a formidable home field, having won nine consecutive games across the season and a 27-game unbeaten streak at home. This presents a daunting challenge for Liverpool. Liverpool suffered a 2-1 defeat away to Crystal Palace in the Premier League, ending their seven-game winning streak and raising questions about player morale. In this match, Galatasaray striker Icardi is the biggest threat to Liverpool's defense. He has scored five goals in seven games this season and is the team's leading scorer. Liverpool is expected to return to the starting lineup after being suspended for the Premier League. He is the team's leading scorer, a major plus. Isak and Salah are also key scoring options up front. Wirtz, valued at over 100 million euros, needs to integrate quickly and recover from his current slump.
September 30th, 12:00 PM, Champions League, Paphos vs. Bayern Munich
This is the first capital-city clash between the two teams in European competition history. Last weekend, Bayern Munich defeated Werder Bremen 4-0 at home, extending their winning streak to eight games at the start of the season. Paphos has only played in the Champions League this season, with four wins and three draws in seven games. In their first league match, they drew 0-0 away to Olympiacos. Bayern Munich defenders Davids, Hiroki Ito, Musiala, and Stanišić were all absent due to injury. Offensively, Kane and Dias were the primary scoring options, especially Kane, who has scored 15 goals in eight games, including nine in the last four. He is the foundation of the team's pursuit of a winning streak.
September 30, 12:00 PM Champions League Inter Milan vs. Slavia Prague
The two teams met in the 2019-20 Champions League group stage, with Inter Milan winning one and drawing one. Last weekend, both teams played a domestic league match. Inter Milan defeated Cagliari 2-0 away, extending their winning streak to three games. Sparta Prague, after a 2-0 home victory over Dukla Prague, maintained an unbeaten streak of seven wins and four draws in their first 11 games of the season. Inter Milan can field their full squad for this match. Thuram is in his prime, scoring five goals in six games and making him the team's top scorer. However, the team's defense needs to be wary of Sparta Prague's attack, as the latter boasts a diverse offense, with eight players scoring two or more goals.
October 1, 12:00 PM, Champions League, Arsenal vs. Olympiacos
The two teams have met 12 times in European competition, with each winning six matches. However, Arsenal has lost all three of their home games against Olympiacos, and has been shutout in the last two. Last weekend, both teams played a domestic league match, with Arsenal coming off a 2-1 comeback victory against Newcastle United away, bringing their total to four wins and one draw in their last five games. Olympiacos defeated Livadiakos 3-2 at home, extending their unbeaten start to the new season. Arsenal captain Ødegaard, Madueke, Havertz, and Gabriel Jesus were absent due to injury. Offensively, Saka needs to improve his form quickly. Džekeres and Martinelli have decent goal-scoring numbers, but their performances lack consistency. They may need to rely on sharp set-pieces in crucial moments. For Olympiacos, Taremi, with four goals in five games, is the player the Gunners' defense needs to be most wary of.
October 1, 12:00 PM Champions League: Barcelona vs. Paris Saint-Germain
The two teams have met 15 times in European competition, with Barcelona holding a slight advantage with six wins, four draws, and five losses. However, they have lost their last two home games against Paris Saint-Germain 1-4. Last weekend, both teams played a domestic league match. Barcelona defeated Real Sociedad 2-1 at home, extending their unbeaten start to the season, with a total of 7 wins and 1 draw in 8 games. They also surpassed Real Madrid in the league standings, while Paris Saint-Germain defeated Auxerre 2-0 at home, also successfully reaching the top of the league.
Currently, Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain are among the strongest teams in European football and are both favorites to win the Champions League. Coupled with their historical grudges, the matchup between the two teams is bound to attract worldwide attention. In this match, Barcelona goalkeepers Juan García, Marc-André ter Stegen, Marc-André Baldé, Marc-André Gavi, Fermin López, and Rafinha are all absent due to injury. The team is expected to use third-choice goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny in goal. Offensively, the return of Amar from injury is a significant boost, with Lewandowski, Ferran Torres, and Marcus Rashford also serving as key scoring options. Paris Saint-Germain's Ousmane Dembélé will miss the match against his former club due to injury. If Douai fails to return in time, the scoring burden will fall on Barcora's shoulders.
October 1, 12:00 PM, Champions League: Monaco vs. Manchester City
The two teams met in the 2016-17 Champions League quarter-finals, both winning at home. Manchester City was ultimately eliminated due to a lack of away goals. Last weekend, both teams played a domestic league match. Monaco lost 1-3 away to Lorient, suffering their third defeat of the season but remaining undefeated in their three home games of the new season. Manchester City swept Burnley 5-1 at home, extending their record to four wins and one draw in their last five games. Monaco captain Zakaria, Pogba, and Golovin are all absent due to injuries. Fati, who has scored four goals in three games, is gradually regaining his touch in the penalty area and is expected to continue to be entrusted with important tasks. Manchester City, with Nouri, Kovacic, Sergei, and Marmouş missing due to injuries, will rely heavily on Haaland's performance in attack. He has scored in each of his last seven club and international matches, including two goals and one assist last weekend.