Champions League: Italian Stars Shine on Opening Night

The Champions League roars back to life on Tuesday night, and so does the spotlight on Italy’s next wave of European protagonists.

Six games open the 2026-27 campaign, and four of them could carry a distinctly Italian accent. From the cauldron of the Santiago Bernabeu to a high-stakes evening in Porto, this is a big night for players trying to nail down club status and catch the eye of the Azzurri.

Early curtain-raiser: Tresoldi in the shop window

The first whistle of the night, at 17.45 BST, comes in Bruges. Club Brugge vs Aston Villa, and with it, a key audition for Nicolo Tresoldi.

Still eligible for both Germany and Italy at senior level, Tresoldi is expected to lead the line for Brugge. It’s the kind of stage that can tilt an international career one way or the other. A sharp display against Premier League opposition would not go unnoticed back in Coverciano.

Donnarumma’s new chapter with City

Later, at 20.00 BST, Italy’s No.1 steps into a different kind of pressure.

Gianluigi Donnarumma is set to start for Manchester City away to Porto, a tie that usually tests even the most established sides. For Donnarumma, now anchoring the goal of the reigning English champions, this is a chance to show he can be the calm at the heart of a team expected to go deep into the competition every year.

City will dominate the ball. Porto will wait for their moments. Donnarumma will be judged on how he handles the few big ones that come his way.

Bernabeu spotlight: Inter’s Italian core

The headline act of the evening is in Madrid. Fifteen-time European champions Real Madrid hosting the current Serie A and Coppa Italia holders Inter at the Bernabeu. A heavyweight tie, and a big test of Inter’s Italian spine.

Cristian Chivu is expected to start Alessandro Bastoni and Nicolo Barella, two pillars for both club and country. Bastoni will be asked to keep his composure against Real’s fluid attack, while Barella’s energy and bite in midfield remain crucial if Inter are to disrupt Madrid’s rhythm.

Pio Esposito is likely to begin on the bench but could be called upon if Inter chase a goal or need fresh legs late on. It’s the kind of night where a substitute appearance can change a season.

One notable absence: Federico Dimarco. Normally a guaranteed starter down the left, the Italy wideman has stayed in Milan after suffering knee pain in the build-up to the match. His omission strips Inter of one of their key creative outlets and a major weapon on set pieces.

Dortmund’s young Italians circle their chance

In Germany, Borussia Dortmund’s clash with Villarreal could feature three more Italian hopefuls: Luca Reggiani, Filippo Mane and Samuele Inacio.

Pre-match indications suggest Mane has a real chance of making Niko Kovac’s starting XI. If he does, he’ll be thrown straight into a tactical battle against a Villarreal side that rarely gives you an easy game in Europe. Reggiani and Inacio add further Italian flavour to a Dortmund squad that has quietly become a testing ground for young talent from across the continent.

The Italian watchlist for Tuesday night

• Kick-offs at 17.45 BST
• • Club Brugge vs Aston Villa: Nicolo Tresoldi (Club Brugge)
• Kick-offs at 20.00 BST
• • Porto vs Manchester City: Gianluigi Donnarumma (Manchester City)
  • Real Madrid vs Inter: Alessandro Bastoni, Nicolo Barella, Pio Esposito (Inter)
  • • Federico Dimarco misses out, not in the matchday squad due to injury
  • Borussia Dortmund vs Villarreal: Luca Reggiani, Filippo Mane, Samuele Inacio (Borussia Dortmund)

The Champions League group phase is long, unforgiving and often cruel. But nights like this can fast-track reputations. Which of these Italian names will still be echoing around Europe when the knockouts arrive?