The 2025/26 UEFA Champions League draw at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco has handed Real Madrid not only a brutal list of opponents — including Manchester City, Liverpool, and Juventus — but also one of the most demanding away trips in the tournament’s recent history: a clash against Kairat Almaty in Kazakhstan, a club whose home stadium is located barely 300 kilometers from the Chinese border.

Who Are Real Madrid’s Rivals in the League Phase?

Under Carlo Ancelotti, Los Blancos face a daunting schedule featuring both European giants and long-haul journeys:

• At the Santiago Bernabéu (Home): Manchester City (England), Juventus (Italy), Marseille (France), and Monaco (France).
• Away: Liverpool (England), Benfica (Portugal), Olympiacos (Greece), and Kairat Almaty (Kazakhstan).

The trip to Kazakhstan stands out not only for the distance but also because Kairat Almaty shocked Europe by eliminating Celtic (Scotland) on penalties in the qualifying rounds.

A Champions League Full of Traps

For Real Madrid, the Champions League — the competition that has brought them unparalleled glory — is once again demanding maximum effort from day one. With historic rivals, endless travel, and the pressure of defending their status as Europe’s kings, Los Blancos face a campaign that will test both their physical endurance and mental resilience.