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Five talking points ahead of the Champions League's Wednesday action on Matchday 7
After a pulsating return last night, Matchday 7 continues in the Champions League on Wednesday with another night full of not-to-be-missed action from Europe's premier competition.
There are nine games across the evening, with three English sides in action as well as Bayern Munich and Barcelona, two of the favourites to lift the trophy in 2026.
Here, DAZN News' Ash Rose assesses five key talking points ahead of Wednesday's action on Champions League Matchday 7.
Liam Rosenior's Champions League bow
Not many managers would have begun life with their first four games in charge being in four separate competitions, but having navigated his way through his first few weeks domestically, the new Blues boss steps into the Champions League spotlight for the first time.
It may be a baptism of fire for the former Strasbourg gaffer, but he goes into the game with experience of European competition already this campaign, having managed the French side in the Europa Conference League, where he leaves them currently topping the table.
However, the Champions League is another step up for the former defender, but he's been given one of the more gentle fixtures to begin with as Chelsea host Pafos.
The Cypriot side has only won one of their six games so far, and with the West Londoners needing a win to boost their chances of avoiding the play-off round, it should be a relatively straightforward evening for Rosenior.
Then it's a trip to Naples and the Italian champions to worry about.
Bayern ready to blow away the Swiss
Top of the Bundesliga, undefeated and having scored 70 goals already this season, a trip to Munich is the last thing you want right now - especially if you've lost four out of the last five Champions League games.
These were nights Union Saint-Gilloise were dreaming of when they made it to the Champions League league phase, but it could quickly turn into a nightmare if Vincent Kompany's men are in the mood once again.
Harry Kane will be eyeing more goals, having netted five in the competition already this season, while the rest of Bayern's all-star cast will be ready to try and topple Arsenal at the top of the table with a resounding win at the Allianz Arena.
Whether it's Luis Diaz, Michael Olise or teenage sensation Lennart Karl, the Germans have a plethora of ways to hurt the opposition, so their Swiss visitors better be prepared.
Getty Images
Barcelona to show off credentials
Since we were all last together for Champions League fun, Barcelona have taken control of the title race in La Liga and beaten rivals Real Madrid to win the Spanish Super Cup and are now looking like genuine contenders for the Champions League in 2026.
Which is good news for the Catalans, because so far it's been a mixed bag for them in the competition, and they sit in 15th in the table, still outside the top eight automatic qualifying spots.
There have been highs, like the Marcus Rashford-inspired win over Newcastle, but also shocking lows, as they succumbed to a 3-0 defeat to Chelsea before the break.
Luckily, the Spanish side finish off the league phase with two favourable fixtures, starting with a trip to Slavia Prague tonight, who are yet to win a game in the competition, and then a home clash with Copenhagen.
Given the form they are in, expect maximum points from those two fixtures and for Hansi Flick's team to only get better and better as they go deeper into proceedings.
FC Barcelona
Liverpool's latest tough test
Liverpool's 1-0 win over Inter on Matchday 6 feels like a lifetime ago now, but it's hard to assess that result and the side's form going into the trip to Marseille, such is the disjointed season the Premier League champions are having.
They face Marseille off the back of a league run that has seen them draw their last four league games, and while they were impressive in the stalemate with Arsenal, they've also failed to see off Leeds, Fulham and Burnley in that run. Not exactly the best preparation for a European clash.
Marseille will present another test for Arne Slot's side, who, although have somewhat underwhelmed in the Champions League thus far, boast Ligue 1's top scorer in Mason Greenwood and are led by a manager who's no stranger to a win over the Reds.
Roberto De Zerbi enjoyed memorable victories over the Merseysiders during his stint at Brighton and has a squad full of familiar names, who should and will cause headaches for Liverpool.
Glyn KIRK / AFP
A European break for the Magpies
Newcastle's inconsistent Premier League season continued this past week as they failed to lay a glove on bottom-placed Wolves in yet another 0-0 for Eddie Howe's side.
No Premier League has been involved in more goalless draws than the Magpies this season as they struggle to find the best way to utilise their attacking options.
Yoane Wisse and Nick Woltermade are two talented strikers who each possess different attributes, but Howe hasn't found a way to effectively combine the two as of yet.
Luckily, they've found Champions League evenings much easier to navigate, and having played their last two European fixtures away from Tyneside, welcome PSV to St James' tonight.
The Dutch side head to the North-East with a record of two wins, two losses and two draws so far, including the memorable destruction of Napoli, as they downed the Italian champions 6-2 on Matchday 3.
The Magpies will hope under the lights, against an opposition who haven't travelled well in the competition, they can get St James' rocking and their strikers firing again.
Full Champions League fixture list for Matchday 7
Tuesday, 20 January
- Kairat Almaty vs. Club Brugge
- Bodo/Glimt vs. Manchester City
- Copenhagen vs. Napoli
- Inter vs. Arsenal
- Olympiakos vs. Bayer Leverkusen
- Real Madrid vs. Monaco
- Sporting vs. PSG
- Tottenham vs. Borussia Dortmund
- Villarreal vs. Ajax
Wednesday, 21 January
- Galatasaray vs. Atletico Madrid
- Qarabag vs. Eintracht Frankfurt
- Atalanta vs. Athletic Club
- Bayern Munich vs. Union Saint-Gilloise
- Chelsea vs. Pafos
- Juventus vs. Benfica
- Marseille vs. Liverpool
- Newcastle United vs. PSV
- Slavia Prague vs. Barcelona
How to watch the Champions League in the USA on DAZN
Soccer fans in the US can watch the Champions League in Spanish language as part of their DAZN subscription package.
An annual upfront payment is $224.99 , while paying monthly for 12 months is $19.99 and also provides access to 185 fight nights a year across boxing, MMA, PFL, BKFC, Glory and much more.
CBS has coverage of every Champions League match in English language this season. You can get more details and subscribe to CBS's Champions League coverage here.
Fans can watch extra Champions League games in Spanish on ViX. A selection of those matches are also available on UNIMÁS and TUDN.
How to watch the Champions League in New Zealand on DAZN
Every Champions League game during the 2025-26 season is streamed in high definition and comes as part of a DAZN subscription.
An annual subscription costs $14.99 per month for 12 months and also provides access to 185 fight nights a year across boxing, MMA, PFL, BKFC, Glory and much more.
How to watch the Champions League in Canada on DAZN
Watch every game of the Champions League this season in Canada with a DAZN subscription.
There are three subscription options, each offering a different selection of sports. Access to every Champions League match is included in all three package offerings, ranging from $29.99 to $44.99 per month (for 12 months)
