The 2025/26 UEFA Champions League kicks off with a blockbuster clash as defending champions Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) host Serie A contenders Atalanta at the Parc des Princes on Wednesday, September 17. This league phase opener pits two high-octane teams against each other, with PSG aiming to launch their title defense in style and Atalanta looking to make an early statement under new management. As fireworks are expected in Paris, we dive into the head-to-head history, potential lineups, score prediction, and key insights to get you primed for this unmissable fixture.
Match Preview: PSG’s Title Defense Meets Atalanta’s Ambition
PSG enter the new Champions League campaign on a high after a flawless start to their Ligue 1 title defense. The Parisians have won all four of their opening league games, including a dominant 6-3 thrashing of Toulouse, showcasing their attacking firepower despite some injury setbacks. Under Luis Enrique, who guided them to a historic 5-0 final win over Inter Milan last season, PSG boast a 64.5% win rate in the competition—the highest among managers with 50+ UCL games. Their Parc des Princes fortress remains unbeaten in recent European home ties, making this a daunting venue for visitors.
Atalanta, meanwhile, are adapting to life without legendary boss Gian Piero Gasperini, who departed after a disappointing playoff exit to Club Brugge last term. New manager Ivan Juric—a UCL novice—secured their first Serie A win of the season with a 4-1 demolition of Lecce, but draws against Pisa and Parma highlight some early inconsistencies. Finishing above PSG in last season’s league phase table, La Dea return for their fifth appearance in six years, hungry to surpass their 2019/20 quarterfinal run. With aggressive pressing and quick transitions as their hallmark, Atalanta could exploit any PSG vulnerabilities, but they’ll need to be clinical on the break.
The stakes are high in this revamped league phase: the top eight advance directly to the round of 16, while teams 9-24 enter playoffs. A win here catapults either side toward the summit, but PSG’s depth and home advantage make them clear favorites at -227 odds, with Atalanta outsiders at +575.
Head-to-Head: A Rare Rivalry with PSG Holding the Edge
These teams have clashed just once before, in the 2019/20 Champions League quarterfinals—a single-leg affair amid the COVID-era format. PSG staged a thrilling 2-1 comeback victory at Lisbon’s Estadio da Luz, with former Atalanta loanee Josip Iličić’s opener canceled out by Neymar and Kylian Mbappé’s strikes. That result propelled PSG to the final, while Atalanta’s dream run ended in heartbreak.
Overall H2H stats show PSG unbeaten (1 win, 0 draws, 0 losses), with an average of 3.00 goals per game. PSG have scored 2.33 goals per match this season, while Atalanta average 1.75 away. No prior meetings at Parc des Princes add intrigue, but history favors the hosts.
Potential Lineups: Balanced PSG Attack vs Atalanta’s Grit
PSG’s 4-3-3 setup emphasizes possession and width, with Bradley Barcola and Kvaratskhelia providing pace. Atalanta’s 3-4-2-1 focuses on counter-attacks, relying on De Ketelaere’s vision.
| Position | PSG (4-3-3) | Atalanta (3-4-2-1) |
|---|---|---|
| GK | Lucas Chevalier | Marco Carnesecchi |
| DEF | Achraf Hakimi, Marquinhos, Willian Pacho, Nuno Mendes | Giorgio Scalvini, Isak Hien, Odilon Kossounou |
| MID | Vitinha, Fabián Ruiz, João Neves | Raoul Bellanova, Marten de Roon, Mario Pašalić, Nicola Zalewski |
| FWD | Bradley Barcola, Gonçalo Ramos, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia | Charles De Ketelaere, Nikola Krstović, Kamaldeen Sulemana |
Score Prediction: PSG to Edge a Goal-Filled Thriller 3-1
PSG’s home dominance (over 2.5 goals in 50% of recent Ligue 1 games) and Atalanta’s attacking intent (both teams scored in their last four combined) point to an open contest. Despite injuries, the Parisians’ depth—bolstered by Ramos and Barcola—should overwhelm Juric’s side. Expect PSG to lead at halftime (-109 odds) and secure a multi-goal win with BTTS (Yes at -133). Over 2.5 goals is a strong play at -175, given the 3.00 H2H average.
Predicted Score: PSG 3-1 Atalanta
