The 2025–26 Champions League league phase is at the midpoint, with the 36 clubs chasing European glory all playing their fourth matches this week. Less than four months after Paris Saint-Germain lifted their first-ever Champions League title, a fresh campaign of European’s elite competition kicked off across the continent.

As Chelsea ready themselves to face a side who have for so long been the yardstick against which all other European clubs are measured, they might ask whether they are hitting their own standards, let alone the lofty ones that Barcelona continue to set.

Europe’s top teams appear to have finally come to grips with the new-look Champions League. The standings look very different heading into the fourth round of games compared to one year ago, when the new 36-team format debuted and the results were less predictable.

The Old Gold trail behind the final team who were relegated in 2024/25, Leicester City, who picked up two wins and a draw before they fell into England's second tier last term. Then come two newly promoted sides, Burnley and Leeds United, who have both given good accounts of themselves since the league season began.

Benfica will host Bayer Leverkusen at the Estádio da Luz, with both sides looking to kickstart poor Champions League campaigns.José Mourinho’s side could have scarcely begun their Champions

Alessia Russo looks forward to Arsenal's remaining League Phase matches after scoring twice vs. Real Madrid to kickstart their campaign.