Sacchi advises Juventus, Inter, Atalanta and Napoli ahead of Dortmund, Ajax, PSG, Man City | OneFootball

Legendary former Milan and Italy head coach Arrigo Sacchi has given his thoughts ahead of the first round of 2025-26 Champions League fixtures coming up this week, which brings a particularly exciting set of fixtures involving the Italian sides, as Juventus will go up against Borussia Dortmund, Inter against Ajax, Atalanta against PSG and Napoli against Man City.

Antonio Conte’s Napoli are the only ‘new’ Italian side in the competition, replacing Milan and Bologna, who competed in the 2024-25 Champions League, but failed to qualify for this season’s edition.

Juventus are looking to bounce back after a disappointing play-off round exit against PSV last season. The same goes for Atalanta, who were knocked out by Club Brugge in the play-off phase last season.

Inter, meanwhile, made it all the way to the Champions League final last term, but were humbled 5-0 by eventual champions PSG in Munich.

Sacchi gives opinion on Juventus, Inter, Atalanta and Napoli UCL openers

MILAN, ITALY – MARCH 11: The UEFA Champions League trophy is cleaned as it is displayed on a plinth at the side of the pitch prior to the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Round of 16 Second Leg match between FC Internazionale Milano and Feyenoord at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on March 11, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Speaking in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport, Sacchi explained that he feels Juventus are the only clear favorites of the four Italian sides in the opening round of 2025-26 Champions League fixtures.

Sacchi was asked if he thinks Juventus have the ‘easiest’ match of the four Italian sides, to which he replied: “It’s only the least difficult game on paper, because in reality, there could potentially be several slip-ups.

“Starting with the fact that the Bianconeri are coming in after a very tough duel against Inter in the league. Dortmund on the other hand will play away against Heidenheim, who have not yet picked up a point in the Bundesliga.

“These details have to be taken into consideration in the Champions League.”

Sacchi agrees, though, that Juventus remain the favourites in this particular fixture.

TURIN, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 13: Igor Tudor, Head Coach of Juventus, celebrates with Kenan Yildiz after the team’s victory in the Serie A match between Juventus FC and FC Internazionale at Allianz Stadium on September 13, 2025 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)

“As long as they follow the coach’s directives perfectly.

“Tudor wants defensive solidity and a very vertical game. If the Bianconeri are solid and vertical, they can overcome Dortmund and start off their Champions League journey in a great way.”

On Inter and their upcoming test against Ajax, Sacchi said: “Ajax is always a tough opponent. They have clear principles and they’re fearsome at home. But I’m more worried about Inter.

“Will it be the (Inter) from their debut against Torino, or the one from their home defeat against Udinese? The Nerazzurri are in the transition from Simone Inzaghi to Cristian Chivu. They’re adapting, and it’s fair that they’re halfway there.

TURIN, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 13: Hakan Calhanoglu of Internazionale celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the Serie A match between Juventus FC and FC Internazionale at on September 13, 2025 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)

“Inter has a squad full of champions, but champions alone are not enough. It’s a complicated game in Amsterdam, an uncertain result.”

Atalanta have a particularly tricky test away against reigning champions PSG to kick things off in 2025-26.

“The French side are the reigning European champions, and on their day, they play stellar football. They’re on top of everything,” Sacchi said.

“Atalanta on the other hand, after the wonderful Gasperini era, have embarked on a technical revolution, and now Juric needs a bit of time to sort some things out.

“The two draws in the first two matches in the league tells you that there is still a lot of work to do. The movements are not as fluid as before and the pressing less ferocious. If you don’t press here, PSG will tear you apart. Juric knows this, and I hope he conveys this message to his boys,” Sacchi added.

BERGAMO, ITALY – AUGUST 24: Ivan Juric, Head Coach of Atalanta BC looks on during the Serie A match between Atalanta BC and Pisa SC at Gewiss Stadium on August 24, 2025 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Scaccianoce/Getty Images)

When asked for a prediction for PSG-Atalanta, Sacchi replied: “I have to say that the French are favourites, but who knows, Atalanta might put them in difficulty.”

Finally, on Thursday, Napoli will go up against Pep Guardiola and his Manchester City side, which will bring an early reunion for Partenopei star Kevin De Bruyne and his former employers.

“It’s another mountain to climb. It’s an important test for Napoli, because they will be able to measure their level of experience and technical quality away against City,” Sacchi said.

“I believe that they are the best team in Serie A: Built well and coached wisely by Conte. It’s one thing to play in the league and another to face Champions League commitments, though.”

FLORENCE, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 13: Rasmus Hojlund n celebrates after scoring a goal during the Serie A match between ACF Fiorentina and SSC Napoli at Artemio Franchi on September 13, 2025 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

Asked if he thinks City might be one too strong for Napoli on this occasion, Sacchi said: “I don’t know about the form of the English side, who have a lot of great champions. But I think that Napoli, in terms of individuality, is not far behind.

“Conte expects his boys to play as a team, and this will be key on an evening like this one in Manchester. If you want to get out of that hell with a good result, you have to be absolutely perfect in your game plan, the pressing, the marking. Otherwise, against City, you risk embarrassment.”