The draw for the UEFA Champions League knockout phase has been completed, setting up a series of high-profile encounters in the last-16 and knockout play-off rounds, with Benfica versus Real Madrid emerging as one of the standout ties.
The fixture renews a recent rivalry between the two European heavyweights, following their dramatic meeting on the final day of the league phase.
On that occasion, José Mourinho’s Real Madrid secured a 4–2 victory away in Portugal, a result that proved decisive in shaping both clubs’ paths in the competition. Despite the defeat, Benfica managed to edge into the knockout play-offs, while the win was not enough to earn Madrid an automatic place in the round of 16.
Under the new competition format, teams were paired based on their final positions at the end of the league phase. Clubs that finished between ninth and 16th were classified as seeded teams, while those placed 17th to 24th formed the unseeded group. Each seeded team was then drawn against an unseeded opponent to determine the knockout play-off fixtures.
The draw has produced several intriguing match-ups, pitting traditional European giants against ambitious challengers from across the continent.
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Knockout Play-Off Fixtures:
Borussia Dortmund vs Atalanta
Olympiacos vs Bayer Leverkusen
Galatasaray vs Juventus
Club Brugge vs Atletico Madrid
Monaco vs Paris Saint-Germain
Qarabag vs Newcastle United
Benfica vs Real Madrid
Bodo/Glimt vs Inter Milan
The two-legged knockout play-off round is scheduled to be played on February 17–18 and February 24–25, with the winners advancing to the round of 16.
The Champions League round of 16 will take place across March 10–11 and March 17–18, where Europe’s elite clubs will continue their pursuit of continental glory.
With several heavyweight clashes already confirmed, expectations are high for another dramatic and closely contested knockout phase in this season’s Champions League.