When Bayern Munich crushed Paris Saint-Germain 3-1 on October 21, 2025, it wasn’t just another win—it was their fifth straight in the Champions League 2025-26, and the moment Arsenal knew their perfect record was about to face its first true test. With eight clean sheets and ten consecutive victories, Arsenal sit second in the GOAL.com Power Rankings, but the real story isn’t just their unbeaten run—it’s the looming clash with Bayern on November 4, 2025. That’s not just a match. It’s a championship decider in all but name.
The New Format, The New Pressure
The Champions League 2025-26 is now in its second season under the 36-team league format, replacing the old group stage. No more easy group draws. No more guaranteed three home games. Every team plays eight matches against different opponents, randomly drawn, with home-and-away fixtures scattered across the calendar like a chessboard. It’s chaos dressed as fairness—and it’s working. The unpredictability has turned mid-table clashes into must-watch events. Athletic Club, for instance, lost 2-0 to Newcastle United on Matchday 4, surrendering two headed goals despite controlling 47.8% of possession. Their coach, Ernesto Valverde, called it "a wake-up call in the air." They’ve conceded nine goals in four games. That’s not just bad defense—it’s a vulnerability that could cost them a top-16 finish.
Who’s Rising, Who’s Wobbling
Bayern Munich are the clear leaders—not just because of their five wins, but because of how they’ve won. Without their captain and talisman, Joshua Kimmich, sidelined with a hamstring injury, they’ve relied on a midfield trio of Musiala, Goretzka, and Sané to dictate tempo. Their 3-1 win over PSG exposed the French giants’ fragility. Paris Saint-Germain, despite being the defending champions, have conceded in five of their eight matches. Coach Luis Enrique admitted, "We’re not at our best defensively," but added, "We’re confident that a return to full strength will make us formidable opponents in the knockout rounds." Meanwhile, Liverpool have turned a season that looked lost into a title contender’s campaign. After losing three of their first four matches, they stunned Real Madrid 2-0 in Madrid on Matchday 4. Mohamed Salah, who had gone 11 games without a goal, scored both. Trent Alexander-Arnold, once criticized for his defensive lapses, now leads the league in key passes. "They’ve found their rhythm," said former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard on BT Sport. "This isn’t luck. It’s a team rediscovering its identity." Arsenal are the most statistically dominant side. Ten wins. Eight clean sheets. Only 11 goals conceded. But their schedule is brutal. After Bayern, they face Manchester City on Matchday 6, then Inter Milan on Matchday 7. If they lose even one of those, their perfect record goes up in smoke.
The English Invasion
England’s six representatives—Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester City, Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur, and Newcastle United—are all in the top 14 of the standings. That’s unprecedented. The Premier League’s financial muscle, combined with tactical evolution, has created a monster. Even Newcastle, who finished seventh last season, are now 11th with 7 points after beating Athletic Club and holding Barcelona to a 1-1 draw. Their aerial dominance—winning 73% of long balls against Athletic—is becoming a blueprint for underdogs.
Athletic Club’s Fight for Survival
Let’s talk about Athletic Club. Ranked 27th out of 36, they’ve scored just four goals in four matches. Their passing accuracy? A solid 79.6%. Their tackles won? 31. Their clean sheets? One. But their goal difference? Minus five. They’ve covered 228 kilometers per match on average—more than any other team in the top half. They’re running themselves into the ground. Their next three fixtures—Slavia Prague, Paris Saint-Germain, and Atalanta—are make-or-break. A win against PSG could lift them into the top 20. A loss? They’ll need to beat Sporting CP by three goals in their final match just to have a prayer. "We’re not here to make up the numbers," said midfielder Nico Williams. "We’re here to prove that Basque football still belongs in this league." The stats don’t lie: Athletic Club have recovered 257 balls this season—more than any other team except Manchester City and Bayern Munich. They’re the ultimate underdog. And sometimes, that’s enough to keep hope alive.
What Comes Next
The league phase ends on January 28, 2026. The top eight teams qualify automatically for the round of 16. Teams ranked 9th to 24th enter a two-legged playoff. The bottom 12 are out. That means even a team like Atalanta, currently 10th with 6 points, could still sneak into the playoffs with a win against Athletic Club on Matchday 7. Meanwhile, Tottenham Hotspur, who qualified as Europa League winners, are sitting at 18th—barely above the playoff line. Their fate hinges on a January trip to Villarreal and a home game against Juventus.
The Final and the Future
The final will be held at a venue yet to be announced, but speculation is already swirling. The Stade de France is the favorite—hosting the 2024 Euros and the 2022 Champions League final. But Wembley Stadium and Allianz Arena are also in the running. Whoever wins will be the first team to lift the trophy under this new format. And that legacy? It’ll be remembered for decades.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the new 36-team format affect smaller clubs like Athletic Club?
The new format gives every team eight matches against varied opponents, increasing exposure but also raising the risk of early elimination. Clubs like Athletic Club, with limited resources, must win at least three of their eight games to stay competitive. Their high pressing and ball recovery stats show they’re trying to compete, but without consistent goal-scoring, they’re vulnerable. Only 16 of the 36 teams make the knockout stage, so even 7 points might not be enough.
Why is Arsenal’s 10-match winning streak so significant?
Arsenal’s streak equals the club’s longest in European competition, previously set in 2003-04. More importantly, they’ve done it without conceding a goal in eight of those matches—a defensive record unmatched in the modern Champions League. If they maintain this pace, they’ll become the first team since Barcelona in 2010-11 to reach the final with fewer than 10 goals conceded in the league phase.
What’s at stake for Paris Saint-Germain after their loss to Bayern?
PSG’s defense has been exposed—conceding in five of eight matches, including three against top-four teams. Their loss to Bayern was their first home defeat in the Champions League since 2021. With Mbappé still recovering from injury and their center-backs struggling with aerial duels, they’re now in danger of finishing outside the top eight. A playoff spot is no longer guaranteed. Their next match against Athletic Club is a must-win to rebuild confidence.
How did Tottenham qualify despite finishing seventh in the Premier League?
Tottenham qualified as the 2024-25 UEFA Europa League winners, which grants automatic entry to the Champions League league phase. Even though they finished seventh in England, their Europa League triumph bypassed the usual qualification rules. This is the first time since 2021 that a Europa League winner has entered the Champions League via this route, and it’s already proving crucial—Tottenham are now clinging to 18th place, just one point above the playoff cutoff.
Which teams are most likely to make the playoffs from 9th to 24th?
Teams like Atalanta (10th), Villarreal (12th), Slavia Prague (14th), and Juventus (16th) are strong contenders. Atalanta’s goal differential (+3) and consistent away form give them an edge. Slavia Prague, though lower-ranked, have won three of their last four matches and face Athletic Club and PSG in their final two games—perfect conditions for a surprise surge.
When will the final be played, and where might it be held?
The final is scheduled for late May 2026, with UEFA expected to announce the venue by December 2025. The leading candidates are Wembley Stadium in London, the Stade de France in Paris, and Allianz Arena in Munich—all venues with recent Champions League final experience. The final will be the first under the new format to feature a team from outside the traditional "Big Five" leagues, possibly Athletic Club or Slavia Prague, if they make it that far.