Real Madrid Faces Benfica in an Epic Champions League Clash
Real Madrid will have to overcome Benfica of José Mourinho to keep their dream alive in the Champions League. The draw for the playoff round paired the Spanish giants with the Portuguese team, two days after a goal in added time by goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin sealed an epic 4-2 victory in Lisbon, denying Real Madrid a place among the eight best teams in the league phase. The surprising victory of Benfica revitalized the 2025-26 Champions League, but the playoff round promises more excitement with renowned teams like Real Madrid, the reigning champion Paris Saint-Germain, and Inter Milan, runner-up of last season, facing difficult matches to reach the round of 16. While the eight best teams from the league phase prepare for the final at the Puskás Aréna in Budapest on May 30, the teams that finished between ninth and twenty-fourth place in the league phase will have to win a two-legged tie to keep their European campaign alive. Following the draw in Nyon, Switzerland, the path to the playoffs has been defined. The first leg matches will be played on February 17th and 18th, and the return legs on February 24th and 25th.Silver Path
Atalanta vs. Borussia Dortmund: These teams finished two places apart in the league phase, with Atalanta slightly ahead of Dortmund in 15th position. Atalanta is dangerous, but inconsistent, and could be affected by the possible departure of Ademola Lookman, a target for Fenerbahce in the January transfer market. Dortmund also lost their last two league phase matches, so, although Niko Kovac’s team is slightly favored, neither seems capable of overcoming the round of 16. WINNER: Borussia Dortmund
Benfica vs. Real Madrid: After the added time drama at the Estadio da Luz, this immediate rematch between Benfica and Real Madrid is undoubtedly the match of the round. Real Madrid will have to overcome their negative record against Benfica, who have a 3-1 advantage in head-to-head matches. Furthermore, with Mourinho at the helm of Benfica, Real Madrid knows that their former coach will be desperate to eliminate them. Real Madrid will also be without Raúl Asencio and Rodrygo for the first leg due to the red cards received against Benfica this week. WINNER: Real Madrid
AS Monaco vs. Paris Saint-Germain: On paper, PSG should be happy with their match against Monaco, especially after negotiating a similar Ligue 1 match with Brest at the same stage last season. Although Monaco is struggling in the middle of the French league table, they managed a 1-0 victory against PSG in November thanks to a goal by Takumi Minamino at the Stade Louis II. Sebastien Pocognoli’s team believes they have a chance to surprise. PSG, with Ousmane Dembélé and Bradley Barcola back in form, should overcome this tie. WINNER: PSG
Galatasaray vs. Juventus: History favors Juventus, two-time Champions League winner, but in the present, there is little difference between these two teams and it promises to be a close match. Galatasaray took advantage of playing at home in Istanbul to get a 1-0 victory against Liverpool in the league phase, and their goal is to get a considerable advantage before the second leg in Turin. Will the experience of Victor Osimhen and Ilkay Gündogan be enough to tip the balance in favor of Galatasaray? Or, will Luciano Spalletti inspire Juve to reach the round of 16? It will be close, but Juventus is vulnerable, so Galatasaray could spring a surprise and advance to the next round. WINNER: Galatasaray
Blue Path
Club Brugge vs. Atlético de Madrid: This is a match between those who have performed above expectations in the Champions League (Brugge) and the team that has developed the habit of not meeting expectations (Atlético). Atlético will face Brugge knowing that the Belgian team is capable of inflicting more misery in the Champions League. Ivan Leko’s team is dangerous on the counterattack, and Greek midfielder Christos Tzolis could get a big transfer after an impressive season. WINNER: Club Brugge
FK Qarabag vs. Newcastle United: Qarabag is the first team from Azerbaijan to reach the Champions League playoffs, and they did so with three wins in the league phase and a home draw against Chelsea. The first leg in Baku will be Qarabag’s best hope for a close tie, especially due to the additional travel Newcastle will have to undertake, who have an increasingly congested domestic schedule. However, Liverpool’s easy 6-0 victory against Qarabag at Anfield exposed many weaknesses that Newcastle can exploit, and coach Eddie Howe should be pleased with the draw. WINNER: Newcastle United
Bodo/Glimt vs. Inter Milan: Norwegian team Bodo sealed their place in the playoffs with dramatic consecutive victories against Manchester City and Atletico Madrid, and Inter will not be afraid of Kjetil Knutsen’s team. However, it could be different for Inter. Does Cristian Chivu’s team really want to travel to the Arctic Circle in mid-February to face Bodo on their infamous artificial turf pitch? Despite the danger of the second leg, Inter will be the big favorite to overcome a team that is still more than a month away from the start of their domestic season. Inter have a lot of experience in their ranks, and the added safety net of playing the return leg at the San Siro. WINNER: Inter Milan
Bayer Leverkusen vs. Olympiacos: These two teams faced each other in the league phase on January 20, with Olympiacos achieving a 2-0 victory in Greece. With the first leg at the intimidating Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium in Piraeus, Olympiacos could build a considerable advantage before the second leg in Germany if forwards Ayoub El Kaabi and Mehdi Taremi can maintain their form this season. Leverkusen is a team in transition, but should still win this two-legged tie. Olympiacos is a dangerous outsider, as they demonstrated during their triumph in the 2024 UEFA Europa Conference League, so this tie could go to penalties. WINNER: Olympiacos
