Athletic Bilbao’s Match Marks Unique Champions League Moment for Spanish Teams – Here’s What You Need to Know

On Tuesday, September 16, the new UEFA Champions League season began, featuring Athletic Bilbao against Arsenal. The Spanish team achieved a notable milestone.

Details: According to analytics platform Opta, Athletic Bilbao became the first Spanish club since September 1955 to start a Champions League match without any players in the lineup who had previously competed in the tournament. This was the first appearance for all eleven starters in Europe’s top club competition.

Additionally, former player and current Sky Sports analyst Jamie Carragher has stated that Barcelona is a top contender for the trophy, highlighting their strong performance last season.

Reminder: The official Champions League website has released the full fixture list for the 2025/26 season. Eight matchdays are set from September 16, 2025, to January 28, 2026. Our editorial team has compiled the complete tournament schedule for you.