Comeback Countdown: Real Madrid and Liverpool Seek European Revival in Champions League Battles
29 septembre 2025
Key matches and stakes
Real Madrid travel to Almaty to face Kairat Almaty as they seek a revival after a chastening domestic setback, while Liverpool visit Galatasaray in Istanbul, both games forming the second round of the Champions League group stage.
Real Madrid arrive in Kazakhstan with fragile morale following a heavy 5-2 defeat at home to city rivals Atlético Madrid, a result that allowed Barcelona to climb top of La Liga. It marked their second loss in 14 matches under new coach Xabi Alonso.
Alonso acknowledged the harsh result, saying his side did not play well as a unit or press with the required intensity.
He added that Real are in a building phase; the defeat stung, but there were no excuses. “We’re hurting, it was a derby and a defeat that we deserved,” he noted.
“We lacked physical intensity and competitiveness,” he continued, stressing the need to improve and be ready for the next test, particularly against strong rivals like Atlético Madrid.
After the travel slog to Almaty—the site of Real’s first ever match against a Kazakh side—Alonso hopes his players can reset mentally and physically for a possible second win in this European campaign, following a 2-1 victory over Marseille that came with ten men after captain Dani Carvajal was sent off.
For Kairat, the draw that paired them against the 15-time European champions is a monumental challenge, a fact underscored by their 4-1 loss at Sporting CP in their first group game.
Similarly, Liverpool aim to regain balance after a league defeat to Crystal Palace, a 2-1 loss that saw their late chances slip away.
Liverpool opened their European campaign with a dramatic 3-2 win over Atlético Madrid, courtesy of a stoppage-time strike by their Dutch center-back Virgil van Dijk, a moment Klopp framed as a reminder to stay focused and avoid overreactions.
“There’s no reason to panic,” Klopp insisted, acknowledging the setback but stressing the need for quick improvement as they head to Turkey for their next challenge.
Van Dijk’s late winner against Atlético was part of a campaign where Klopp’s side had started with momentum, while he urged his team to maintain composure and avoid the swings of external noise.
Looking ahead, Liverpool’s path in Europe remains demanding, with a potential repeat of last season’s intensity and a reminder that their trip to Galatasaray could define early Group standings. Bayern Munich, in Cyprus, also look to extend a strong start as they host Pafos after a first-round upset of Chelsea, while Inter, Atlético Madrid, and others prepare for a slate of tests across the continent.
From Benfica’s coaching change to Inter’s continued European push and the others in the mix, Tuesday’s games carry the weight of early momentum in an increasingly unpredictable season for Europe’s elite clubs.
