Top Matchups in the Champions League: A Look at Bayern’s Opponents | OneFootball

FC Bayern’s opponents in the Champions League group stage have been determined. The Munich team can expect to face some big names, but also a few unusual matchups.

The draw in Monaco has given FC Bayern an interesting mix of opponents. At the Allianz Arena, the German record champions will host Arsenal, Real Betis, Bodø/Glimt, and Slavia Prague. On the road, they’ll face Atlético Madrid, Manchester United, OSC Lille, and Viking Stavanger.

The exact dates for the eight matches have not yet been set. UEFA plans to release the schedule by Saturday, August 29. Here’s a look at Bayern’s eight opponents.

Arsenal (Home)

Arsenal is one of the toughest opponents in the entire group stage. The Gunners are the reigning English champions and reached the Champions League final last season, where they lost to Paris Saint-Germain in a penalty shootout.

Arsenal has become a familiar foe for Bayern. The Munich team already lost 1-3 in London during the previous group stage. The overall record, however, favors FCB: Bayern has won eight of the 15 previous matches, with three draws and four losses. This time, the match will take place in Munich.

Atlético Madrid (Away)

The trip to Atlético Madrid also promises to be a true top-tier matchup. Of particular interest: The Estadio Metropolitano will also host the Champions League final on June 5, 2027. So Bayern can get a taste of the final atmosphere there in advance.

Atlético finished fourth in LaLiga last season and reached the Champions League semifinals, where their run ended against Arsenal. The head-to-head record against Bayern favors the Munich side: Of eight meetings, Bayern has won four and Atlético two, with two matches ending in draws.

Real Betis (Home)

FC Bayern is entering uncharted territory against Real Betis. The two clubs have never faced each other in a European cup match. For the Andalusians, this is only their second appearance in the Champions League.

Betis finished last season in fifth place in the Spanish league. Compared to Arsenal or Atlético, the home game against the team from Seville is certainly one of the matchups in which Bayern will be the clear favorite.

Photo: IMAGO

Manchester United (Away)

One of the biggest names awaits at Old Trafford. Manchester United is back in the Champions League after a two-year hiatus. The Red Devils qualified by finishing third in the Premier League.

Bayern and United share a long history in European competition. They’ve faced each other 13 times so far, with FCB winning six of those matches. The two teams have drawn five times, and Manchester has won only twice. Bayern won their most recent visit to Old Trafford 1-0 during the 2023-24 season.

Bodø/Glimt (Home)

Bodø/Glimt has long since evolved from an underdog into a formidable opponent on the European stage. In the last Champions League season, the Norwegians caused a stir with victories over Manchester City and Atlético Madrid. In the knockout stage, they even knocked Inter Milan out of the competition before their run ended in the Round of 16 against Sporting Lisbon.

Domestically, Bodø/Glimt most recently suffered a defeat at the hands of Viking Stavanger, of all teams. Nevertheless, they once again secured a spot in the Champions League through qualifying. This time, they’ll face Bayern at the Allianz Arena.

OSC Lille (Away)

OSC Lille presents a tough away match in France. Lille qualified for the Champions League as the third-place finisher in Ligue 1 and is making its ninth appearance in the competition.

The two previous matches against Bayern took place during a particularly successful season for the FCB. On their way to the 2013 treble, the Munich side won 1-0 in Lille and 6-1 at home during the group stage. The match will also mark a reunion with Tanguy Nianzou, who now plays for Lille.

Slavia Prague (Home)

Czech champions Slavia Prague are making their fourth appearance in the Champions League group stage. They have never faced FC Bayern in a competitive match.

Last season, Slavia also made it to the group stage but earned only three points from eight matches and was eliminated. In Munich, Bayern is therefore the clear favorite heading into the match.

Viking Stavanger (Away)

The most unusual matchup awaits in Norway. Viking Stavanger has qualified for the Champions League group stage for the first time ever. In the playoffs, the Norwegian champions pulled off a surprise victory over Dinamo Zagreb.

Viking had edged out Bodø/Glimt in a tight championship race in 2025. Now Bayern faces its first-ever competitive match against the club. For Viking, the home game against the German record champions is likely to be one of the biggest matches in the club’s history.