Real Madrid will face Benfica in a high-stakes rematch of their recent classic, following the draw for the Champions League knockout phase play-offs on Friday.
The draw, held at UEFA headquarters in Nyon, produced a series of heavyweight encounters as teams fight for a place in the last 16. Among the standout fixtures is an all-French clash between Paris Saint-Germain and Monaco, while Italian giants Juventus have been paired with Turkey’s Galatasaray.
Revenge on the cards for Real
The headline tie sees 15-time winners Real Madrid return to Lisbon to face Benfica. The match carries significant baggage after a dramatic final league-phase game on 28 January.
In one of the most remarkable moments in the tournament’s history, Benfica goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin scored a 98th-minute header to seal a 4-2 win over the Spanish giants. That result knocked Kylian Mbappé and his teammates out of the automatic qualification spots, forcing them into this play-off round.
Champions League Play-off Draw in full:
- Real Madrid vs Benfica
- Paris Saint-Germain vs Monaco
- Galatasaray vs Juventus
- Borussia Dortmund vs Atalanta
- Inter Milan vs Bodø/Glimt
- Newcastle United vs Qarabağ
- Atlético Madrid vs Club Brugge
- Olympiacos vs Bayer Leverkusen
A ‘new era’ for the knockout stage
This is the first time the competition has used this play-off format, which pits teams finishing 9th to 16th against those finishing 17th to 24th. Teams that finished in the top eight, such as Manchester City and Liverpool, have already qualified directly for the Round of 16.
UEFA’s deputy general secretary Giorgio Marchetti described the new league phase as an “emotional rollercoaster,” noting that the sheer volume of late goals on the final matchday exceeded all expectations.
Historic firsts
The draw also features Newcastle United in their first-ever competitive meeting with Azerbaijan’s Qarabağ. Meanwhile, Norwegian side Bodø/Glimt continue their fairytale run into the Champions League knockout stages for the first time, though they face a daunting task against Inter Milan.
The winners of these two-legged ties will progress to the Round of 16, moving one step closer to the final in Budapest.
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