The UEFA Champions League 2024-25 season kicked off with a bang, as Matchday 1, under the much-anticipated new format, delivered an array of exciting games, stunning goals, and shocking results. This season, the traditional group-stage format has been revamped, with a new structure designed to ensure more high-level matchups and keep fans on the edge of their seats from the very beginning. As the dust settles on the opening round, let’s delve into the highlights, key takeaways, and what the new format brings to the tournament.
The New Format: A Brief Overview
The 2024-25 Champions League format introduces a Swiss model, a dramatic shift from the group stages that fans have been accustomed to. Instead of eight groups of four teams, all 36 teams now play in a single league, with each team playing eight games against different opponents of varying strength. The top eight automatically progress to the knockout stages, while teams placed 9th to 24th will enter a two-legged playoff round to secure the remaining eight knockout spots.
This new system aims to offer more competitive balance and high-profile matchups from the get-go, and Matchday 1 certainly didn’t disappoint.
UEFA Champions League Matchday 1: Goals Galore, Surprises, and Dominance
Bayern Munich 9-2 Dinamo Zagreb: Bavarian Brilliance
Bayern Munich showcased their pedigree as one of Europe’s elite with a stunning 9-2 victory over Dinamo Zagreb. From start to finish, the German giants were relentless in their pursuit of goals, with their high-pressing game and seamless transitions proving too much for the Croatian champions to handle.
Harry Kane led the charge for Bayern with a spectacular hat trick (19’, 37’, 57’), while Raphael Guerreiro (28’), Michael Olise (36’, 87’), and Leroy Sané (85’) all contributed to the demolition. Zagreb’s Bruno Petkovic (48’) and Takaya Ogiwara (90’+3) managed to score consolation goals, but Bayern’s ruthlessness ensured their superiority. This result sent shockwaves across Europe as a reminder of Bayern’s championship credentials.
Juventus 3-1 PSV Eindhoven: The Old Lady Strikes Back
Juventus, who have been dealing with inconsistency domestically, put on a composed performance to beat PSV Eindhoven 3-1. Kenan Yıldız opened the scoring in the 21st minute, followed by Weston McKennie’s header in the 32nd minute. PSV attempted to rally back with Ismael Saibari’s goal in the 39th minute, but Juventus remained dominant, with Nicolás González securing the result in the 52nd minute.
Juventus controlled the game, regaining some much-needed confidence for the rest of the competition, while PSV’s early group stage loss puts pressure on them to perform in upcoming matches.
Liverpool 3-1 AC Milan: Reds Overcome the Rossoneri
In a classic European fixture, Liverpool traveled to the San Siro and secured a convincing 3-1 win against AC Milan. Despite an early Milan lead through Christian Pulišić’s 3rd-minute goal, Liverpool grew into the game and dominated thereafter. Ibrahim Konaté (23’), Virgil van Dijk (41’), and Dominik Szoboszlai (67’) all found the back of the net, showcasing Liverpool’s strong attacking unit.
The Rossoneri struggled to match Liverpool’s intensity, and the Reds, under Jürgen Klopp, continue to look like one of the tournament’s most threatening sides. Milan will need to recover quickly if they hope to progress.
Celtic 5-1 Slovan Bratislava: Hoops Run Riot
Celtic announced themselves in the Champions League group stage with an emphatic 5-1 thrashing of Slovan Bratislava. Liam Scales (17’), Kyogo Furuhashi (41’), and Ange Engels (56’) all netted before Daizen Maeda put the game beyond reach with his 70th-minute strike. Kevin Wimmer managed a late consolation for Slovan in the 85th minute, but the Scottish side were simply unstoppable.
This victory gives Celtic a strong start in their group, and they’ll be looking to replicate this form in the coming matches as they aim to push beyond the group stages.
Real Madrid 3-1 VfB Stuttgart: Los Blancos Cruise to Victory
Real Madrid, the most successful club in Champions League history, kicked off their campaign with a solid 3-1 win against VfB Stuttgart. The German side, returning to European football, put up a decent fight, but Madrid’s quality shone through. Kylian Mbappé (46’) put Madrid ahead, with Antonio Rüdiger adding a second in the 83rd minute. Stuttgart’s Deniz Undav scored in the 68th minute, keeping the game competitive, but Endrick’s goal (90+5) sealed the win for Los Blancos.
Real Madrid’s experience in the competition was evident, and Carlo Ancelotti’s men will be confident of progressing deep into the tournament once again.
Manchester City 0-0 Inter Milan: Tactical Stalemate at the Etihad
Manchester City and Inter Milan played out a goalless draw in what was expected to be one of the most exciting fixtures of Matchday 1. Both teams displayed their tactical discipline, with City dominating possession but struggling to break through Inter’s well-organized defense. Inter, meanwhile, looked dangerous on the counter but couldn’t find the finishing touch.
Both teams settled for a point, but the result leaves them with work to do in a highly competitive group. City’s possession-based gameplan faltered in the final third, while Inter will need to find more firepower going forward.
Paris Saint-Germain 1-0 Girona: PSG Scrape Through
Paris Saint-Germain scraped a narrow 1-0 victory over Girona, with a late own goal by Girona’s Paolo Gazzaniga (90’+ OG) sealing the win for the French champions. In a game where both sides struggled to find rhythm, PSG will be relieved to have secured all three points as they look to go deep in the tournament.
Girona put up a commendable fight, but their own defensive misfortune undid what was otherwise a solid performance. PSG will need to improve their fluidity in attack in upcoming matches.
Dortmund 3-0 Club Brugge: German Efficiency
Borussia Dortmund were clinical in their 3-0 victory against Club Brugge. Jamie Bynoe-Gittens (70’) and Serhou Guirassy (90+5’) provided the goals for the German side, with an own goal from a Brugge defender further complicating matters for the Belgian outfit.
Dortmund dominated proceedings and showed that they are a team to watch this season, efficiently controlling the tempo of the match and pressing Brugge into mistakes.
Atletico Madrid 2-1 RB Leipzig: Last-Minute Drama at the Metropolitano
Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid earned a 2-1 win against RB Leipzig, with a late winner sealing the three points. Benjamin Sesko gave Leipzig an early lead in the 4th minute, but Atletico fought back with Antoine Griezmann equalizing in the 28th minute. José María Giménez headed home the winner in the 89th minute to give Atletico a thrilling win.
Leipzig’s early dominance faded as Atletico’s resilience and defensive discipline proved to be decisive in the latter stages.
Monaco 2-1 Barcelona: Catalan Woes Continue
Monaco upset Barcelona 2-1 in one of the surprises of Matchday 1. Maghnes Akliouche (16’) and George Ilenikhena (71’) secured the goals for the Ligue 1 side, while Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal scored a stunning equalizer in the 28th minute. Despite their efforts, Barca could not recover after falling behind again.
The result adds to Barcelona’s ongoing struggles, and questions continue to mount for the Spanish giants.
Benfica 2-1 Crvena Zvezda: Hard-Fought Win for the Eagles
Benfica came out on top in a 2-1 victory against Crvena Zvezda. Muhammed Aktürkoğlu opened the scoring for Benfica in the 9th minute, followed by Oghen Kafete in the 30th minute. Milson pulled one back for Zvezda in the 86th minute, but it wasn’t enough to prevent defeat.
Benfica’s strong start to the tournament will give them confidence as they progress through the group stages.
Feyenoord 0-4 Bayer Leverkusen: Dominant Away Display
Bayer Leverkusen thrashed Feyenoord 4-0 in an away fixture, with goals from Florian Wirtz (5’), Alejandro Grimaldo (30’), and Timon Wellenreuther’s unfortunate own goal (44’) securing a comprehensive victory for the German side. Leverkusen’s pace and precision on the break were too much for Feyenoord, who struggled to gain a foothold in the game.
Leverkusen’s emphatic performance sends a clear message to the rest of their group—they mean business.
Conclusion
Matchday 1 of the UEFA Champions League offered fans a glimpse of the excitement and drama that the competition promises this season. With dominant performances, tactical battles, and surprise results, the stage is set for an unforgettable tournament. As the group stages progress, the stakes will only get higher, and Europe’s top clubs will continue to jostle for a place in the knockout rounds.