Legendary former Milan and Italy head coach Arrigo Sacchi has given his ideas forward of the primary spherical of 2025-26 fixtures developing this week, which brings a very thrilling set of fixtures involving the Italian sides, as Juventus will go up towards Borussia Dortmund, Inter towards Ajax, Atalanta towards PSG and Napoli towards Man Metropolis.
Antonio Conte’s Napoli are the one ‘new’ Italian aspect within the competitors, changing Milan and Bologna, who competed within the 2024-25 Champions League, however did not qualify for this season’s version.
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Juventus wish to bounce again after a disappointing play-off spherical exit towards PSV final season. The identical goes for Atalanta, who had been knocked out by Membership Brugge within the play-off part final season.
Inter, in the meantime, made all of it the best way to the Champions League remaining final time period, however had been humbled 5-0 by eventual champions PSG in Munich.
Sacchi offers opinion on Juventus, Inter, Atalanta and Napoli UCL openers
MILAN, ITALY – MARCH 11: The UEFA Champions League trophy is cleaned as it’s displayed on a plinth along side the pitch previous to the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Spherical of 16 Second Leg match between FC Internazionale Milano and Feyenoord at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on March 11, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Picture by Marco Luzzani/Getty Photos)
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Talking in an interview with , Sacchi defined that he feels Juventus are the one clear favorites of the 4 Italian sides within the opening spherical of 2025-26 Champions League fixtures.
Sacchi was requested if he thinks Juventus have the ‘best’ match of the 4 Italian sides, to which he replied: “It’s solely the least tough sport on paper, as a result of in actuality, there may probably be a number of slip-ups.
“Beginning with the truth that the Bianconeri are coming in after a really robust duel towards Inter within the league. Dortmund however will play away towards Heidenheim, who haven’t but picked up a degree within the Bundesliga.
“These particulars must be considered within the Champions League.”
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Sacchi agrees, although, that Juventus stay the favourites on this specific fixture.
TURIN, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 13: Igor Tudor, Head Coach of Juventus, celebrates with Kenan Yildiz after the workforce’s victory within the Serie A match between Juventus FC and FC Internazionale at Allianz Stadium on September 13, 2025 in Turin, Italy. (Picture by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Photos)
“So long as they observe the coach’s directives completely.
“Tudor needs defensive solidity and a really vertical sport. If the Bianconeri are strong and vertical, they will overcome Dortmund and begin off their Champions League journey in a good way.”
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On Inter and their upcoming check towards Ajax, Sacchi mentioned: “Ajax is all the time a troublesome opponent. They’ve clear rules and so they’re fearsome at dwelling. However I’m extra anxious about Inter.
“Will or not it’s the (Inter) from their debut towards Torino, or the one from their dwelling defeat towards Udinese? The Nerazzurri are within the transition from Simone Inzaghi to Cristian Chivu. They’re adapting, and it’s honest that they’re midway there.
TURIN, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 13: Hakan Calhanoglu of Internazionale celebrates scoring his workforce’s first purpose through the Serie A match between Juventus FC and FC Internazionale at on September 13, 2025 in Turin, Italy. (Picture by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Photos)
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“Inter has a squad stuffed with champions, however champions alone will not be sufficient. It’s an advanced sport in Amsterdam, an unsure end result.”
Atalanta have a very tough check away towards reigning champions PSG to kick issues off in 2025-26.
“The French aspect are the reigning European champions, and on their day, they play stellar soccer. They’re on prime of all the pieces,” Sacchi mentioned.
“Atalanta however, after the fantastic Gasperini period, have launched into a technical revolution, and now Juric wants a little bit of time to type some issues out.
“The 2 attracts within the first two matches within the league tells you that there’s nonetheless loads of work to do. The actions will not be as fluid as earlier than and the urgent much less ferocious. For those who don’t press right here, PSG will tear you aside. Juric is aware of this, and I hope he conveys this message to his boys,” Sacchi added.
BERGAMO, ITALY – AUGUST 24: Ivan Juric, Head Coach of Atalanta BC appears to be like on through the Serie A match between Atalanta BC and Pisa SC at Gewiss Stadium on August 24, 2025 in Bergamo, Italy. (Picture by Francesco Scaccianoce/Getty Photos)
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When requested for a prediction for PSG-Atalanta, Sacchi replied: “I’ve to say that the French are favourites, however who is aware of, Atalanta would possibly put them in problem.”
Lastly, on Thursday, Napoli will go up towards Pep Guardiola and his Manchester Metropolis aspect, which is able to carry an early reunion for Partenopei star Kevin De Bruyne and his former employers.
“It’s one other mountain to climb. It’s an necessary check for Napoli, as a result of they may have the ability to measure their stage of expertise and technical high quality away towards Metropolis,” Sacchi mentioned.
“I consider that they’re the most effective workforce in Serie A: Constructed effectively and coached properly by Conte. It’s one factor to play within the league and one other to face Champions League commitments, although.”
FLORENCE, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 13: Rasmus Hojlund n celebrates after scoring a purpose through the Serie A match between ACF Fiorentina and SSC Napoli at Artemio Franchi on September 13, 2025 in Florence, Italy. (Picture by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Photos)
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Requested if he thinks Metropolis is likely to be one too sturdy for Napoli on this event, Sacchi mentioned: “I don’t know concerning the type of the English aspect, who’ve loads of nice champions. However I believe that Napoli, when it comes to individuality, is just not far behind.
“Conte expects his boys to play as a workforce, and this will likely be key on a night like this one in Manchester. If you wish to get out of that hell with a great end result, it’s a must to be completely good in your sport plan, the urgent, the marking. In any other case, towards Metropolis, you danger embarrassment.”