Real Madrid discover Champions League schedule as dates revealed for Liverpool and Manchester City fixtures | OneFootball

Real Madrid have now discovered their schedule for the league phase of this season’s Champions League, following Thursday’s draw. Xabi Alonso’s side will be hoping for better in 2025-26, having only managed to secure a play-off place during this stage in the previous campaign.

Real Madrid start their league phase campaign at home to Ligue 1 giants Marseille on the 16th of September, before a long trip to Kazakhstan two weeks later when they face Kairat Almaty. They host Juventus on the 22nd of October – just days ahead of the first El Clasico of the season – before arguably their tough fixture: away to Liverpool.

The second half of Real Madrid’s stage starts with a trip to Olympiacos, before home matches against Manchester City and AS Monaco. Los Blancos round out the league phase on the road, as they will Benfica in Lisbon on the 28th of January.

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Real Madrid will be pleased with “favourable” schedule

Overall, it could have been worse for Real Madrid. They have avoided facing Liverpool and Man City back-to-back, but more importantly, they won’t player either before El Clasico, with Juventus at home being much more favourable for Alonso and his players.

Real Madrid are very capable of getting the points required to finish inside the top eight of the league phase, which would mean that they forego playing a play-off tie. A strong start with help their cause, and the matches against Marseille, Kairat Almaty and Juventus will represent a good chance to pick up nine points from the opening three games.

However, nothing should be taken for granted, and Alonso will also be thinking this as he aims to take Real Madrid to their 16th title in the Champions League/European Cup. The countdown is now on until that opening matchday fixture against Marseille.