{
  "id": 6094726,
  "title": "PSG go for three in a row as Champions League returns",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/07/psg-go-for-three-in-a-row-as-champions-league-returns-6094726",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-07T03:39:43.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/sports/football/2026/09/1527389/psg-go-three-row-champions-league-returns"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The UEFA Champions League season kicks off this week as Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) aims to become the latest club to win the prestigious competition three years in a row. PSG successfully defended their title last season by defeating Arsenal on penalties in Budapest, marking their first-ever Champions League victory. With Luis Enrique at the helm, PSG has previously achieved back-to-back titles, an accomplishment only previously attained by Real Madrid since the inception of the modern Champions League in 1992. Winning three consecutive titles would elevate their status to an unprecedented level, as only Real Madrid (2016-2018), Ajax (1971-1973), Bayern Munich (1974-1976), and the original European Cup winners from 1956 to 1960 have achieved such a feat.\n\nEnrique emphasized the importance of winning significant trophies, stating that nothing surpasses the Champions League. The French giants' consecutive titles have been coinciding with the new Champions League format, which features 36 teams competing in the league phase, each playing eight games against eight different opponents. PSG struggled in the league phase for the past two seasons, finishing outside the top eight and having to go through an additional play-off round to reach the last 16. They will face familiar opponents, including Manchester City, Barcelona, and Aston Villa, this time around.\n\nThe financial strength of the Premier League ensures that all its representatives will be prominent contenders. Arsenal, led by Mikel Arteta, topped the league phase last season but will face a tough start this time, starting with a trip to Napoli. Five English clubs will compete, including Manchester City, Liverpool, Manchester United, and Aston Villa. Bayern Munich, Jose Mourinho's Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Inter Milan are also considered formidable opponents. Inter Milan and Atletico Madrid have the potential to make a significant impact, while Porto's Jose Mourinho is eager to guide them back to continental glory after their victory in 2018.\n\nSeveral new teams will add freshness to the competition, including Como from Italy and Viking Stavanger from Norway. Sabah, from Azerbaijan, have also qualified for the league phase after winning their first Azerbaijani title and overcoming four qualifying ties. Their manager, Valdas Dambrauskas, entered coaching after realizing he would not become a professional player. While being in the league phase is worth almost 20 million euros ($23.2 million) for clubs from lesser leagues, the Champions League winners pocket around 90 million euros in prize money, with additional millions from television rights.",
  "summary": "PARIS: Another UEFA Champions League season gets going this week with the beginning of the league phase as Paris Saint-Germain bid to join the tiny band of clubs to have won the competition three years running.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Daily Post Nigeria",
        "title": "CAF Champions League: Iyowuna reflects on Rivers United’s draw at San Pedro",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/06/caf-champions-league-iyowuna-reflects-on-rivers-uniteds-draw-at-san",
        "published": "2026-09-06T21:02:01.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "PSG go for three in a row as Champions League returns",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/07/psg-go-for-three-in-a-row-as-champions-league-returns",
        "published": "2026-09-07T00:32:13.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "Champions League returns with revamped league phase as PSG chase historic three‑peat",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/07/champions-league-returns-with-revamped-league-phase-as-psg-chase",
        "published": "2026-09-07T03:28:42.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}