Real Madrid will clash with Benfica, while Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) have been paired with Monaco in the UEFA Champions League knockout phase play-offs, following Friday’s draw in Nyon, Switzerland.
The draw produced several high-profile fixtures as clubs vie for a spot in the round of 16 under the competition’s revamped format. Borussia Dortmund will take on Atalanta in the first confirmed tie, while Galatasaray were drawn against Juventus in another heavyweight encounter. Atlético de Madrid will meet Club Brugge, Olympiacos face Bayer Leverkusen in a repeat of a league-phase matchup, and Qarabağ will play Newcastle United in their first-ever meeting.
Italian side Inter Milan were drawn against Norwegian champions Bodø/Glimt, marking the Norwegian club’s debut in the Champions League knockout stages.
Benfica’s meeting with Real Madrid carries extra intrigue following a dramatic league-phase finale on January 28, 2026. In a stunning 4–2 victory at the Estádio da Luz, Benfica’s goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin scored a sensational 98th-minute header to secure the win and a spot in the play-offs. Real Madrid, who had initially led through Kylian Mbappé and seemed set to qualify directly for the round of 16, ultimately slipped into ninth place, forcing them into the play-off round.
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UEFA deputy general secretary Giorgio Marchetti described the league phase as an “emotional rollercoaster,” noting the dramatic late goals on Matchday Eight had exceeded expectations. Former Arsenal and France winger Robert Pires, who assisted with the draw, praised the Champions League’s new format, calling the recent matches “exciting and entertaining.”
The knockout phase play-offs now represent the next stage on the path to the final, which is scheduled to take place in Budapest.