Champions League Play-Offs Set as Benfica Draw Real Madrid Again
The Champions League play-off draw delivers blockbuster clashes, including Benfica vs Real Madrid, PSG vs Monaco, and Newcastle vs Qarabag.
Champions League Play-Offs Set as Benfica Draw Real Madrid Again
The UEFA Champions League has delivered another round of high drama, even before a ball has been kicked, with the play-off draw producing a series of mouthwatering fixtures. Headlining the ties is a rapid reunion between Benfica and Real Madrid, who will face each other again just weeks after their thrilling league-phase showdown.
The play-offs mark a crucial stage in the revamped Champions League format, involving clubs that finished between ninth and 24th in the league phase. These two-legged ties will determine the final eight teams that progress to the last 16, where Europe’s elite await.
Benfica vs Real Madrid: A Rapid Rematch
Few could have predicted that Benfica and Real Madrid would meet again so soon after their dramatic league-phase encounter. That match ended in unforgettable fashion, with Benfica goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin scoring in the 98th minute to seal a sensational 4-2 victory over the Spanish giants.
The result stunned the football world and raised serious questions about Real Madrid’s defensive resilience. Now, the 14-time European champions have a swift opportunity for revenge, but Benfica will approach the tie with confidence, knowing they have already exposed Madrid’s vulnerabilities.
For Benfica, this fixture represents a chance to cement their growing reputation as serious European contenders. For Real Madrid, it is a test of pedigree, mentality, and their ability to deliver under pressure when the stakes are at their highest.
Newcastle Handed Qarabag Challenge
Newcastle United, returning to Europe’s top competition after a long absence, will face Azerbaijan champions Qarabag in the play-offs after finishing 12th in the league phase. On paper, Eddie Howe’s side will be seen as favorites, but European football has a habit of punishing complacency.
Qarabag ended the league phase in 22nd place, recording three wins, one draw, and four defeats. Their campaign concluded with a heavy 6-0 loss to Liverpool at Anfield, highlighting the gulf in quality that can exist against Premier League opposition.
However, Qarabag have shown resilience at home and recently made history by avoiding defeat against an English club for the first time, earning a 2-2 draw with Chelsea in November. While they have yet to register a win against a Premier League side in nine attempts, they remain dangerous, particularly on their own turf.
The winner of the Newcastle–Qarabag tie will face either Chelsea or Barcelona in the last 16, adding further intrigue and pressure to the play-off clash.
All-French Battle: PSG vs Monaco
Defending champions Paris St-Germain face a familiar foe in Ligue 1 rivals Monaco. While domestic clashes are nothing new for these sides, meeting in the Champions League knockouts adds an entirely different level of intensity.
PSG finished 11th in the league phase, narrowly missing out on automatic qualification, while Monaco claimed a play-off spot with a solid campaign. The matchup guarantees a French representative in the last 16 but also ensures one of Ligue 1’s strongest sides exits early.
With PSG carrying the burden of expectation as reigning champions, the pressure is firmly on them to justify their status and navigate a potentially awkward tie against opponents who know them well.
Full Champions League Play-Off Draw
The complete list of play-off fixtures is as follows:
- Bodo/Glimt vs Inter Milan
- Benfica vs Real Madrid
- Monaco vs Paris St-Germain
- Qarabag vs Newcastle
- Galatasaray vs Juventus
- Club Brugge vs Atletico Madrid
- Borussia Dortmund vs Atalanta
- Olympiacos vs Bayer Leverkusen
Each tie will be played over two legs, with the first matches scheduled for 17–18 February and the return fixtures taking place one week later.
Top Eight Await in the Last 16
Once the eight play-off winners are confirmed, they will advance to the last 16, where they will be joined by the teams that finished in the top eight of the league phase. Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, and Tottenham are among those who secured automatic qualification and will now benefit from rest and preparation time.
From the last 16 onward, the competition returns to a traditional knockout format, with all rounds except the final played over two legs.
Seeding Rules Add Strategic Importance
One of the most significant changes this season is the increased importance of league-phase finishing positions. Teams that finished in the top eight are seeded in the last 16 and will enjoy the advantage of playing the second leg at home.
Seeding also extends beyond the last 16. Teams that finished first to fourth in the league phase will be seeded for the quarter-finals, gaining home advantage in the second leg should they progress. The top two finishers will also receive seeding benefits in the semi-finals.
If a seeded team is eliminated, the team that knocks them out inherits that seeding position, adding an extra strategic layer to every knockout tie.
Knockout Phase Dates and Final Venue
UEFA has also confirmed the dates for the remaining stages of the competition:
- Last 16: 10–11 and 17–18 March
- Quarter-finals: 7–8 and 14–15 April
- Semi-finals: 28–29 April and 5–6 May
- Final: 30 May
The 2025–26 Champions League final will be held at the Puskás Aréna in Budapest, Hungary, setting the stage for a spectacular conclusion to a groundbreaking season.
A Tournament Poised for Drama
With heavyweight clashes, local derbies, and ambitious underdogs all in the mix, the Champions League play-offs promise tension, excitement, and unpredictability. From Benfica’s fearless challenge against Real Madrid to Newcastle’s quest for European progress, the road to Budapest is already shaping up to be unforgettable.
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