Real Madrid vs Benfica: Mourinho faces his ex in UCL Playoffs

Real Madrid will face Benfica of José Mourinho in the Champions League playoffs. For its part, Paris Saint-Germain, the current champion, will face AS Monaco in a duel between French teams. The fate of Madrid and Benfica in the playoffs was sealed after an exciting final group stage match, which included a last-minute goal by goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin. This goal secured a place for Benfica in the 16-team playoffs, while the defeat relegated Madrid outside the top eight places, which qualify directly. Benfica have won three of the previous four European encounters between the two clubs, including the 1962 European Cup final. The two-legged tie in February will be another opportunity for former Real Madrid coach José Mourinho to prevail over his former club, the team that has won the European title 15 times. The winners will advance to the round of 16, where Madrid could face Manchester City.

In other matches, PSG will face Monaco, who are nine positions and 21 points below in the league. The Norwegian Bodo/Glimt, who beat City 3-1 in the penultimate matchday of the group stage, will face Inter Milan. Juventus will face Galatasaray in another outstanding match, while Atletico Madrid will face Club Brugge. The first and second leg matches will be played on February 17th and 18th, and February 24th and 25th.