<div class="Article-featuredImage">
<figure class=" img"><img class="Article-featuredImageImg" alt="Untitled-Design-2026-01-30t133017-994.png" src="https://sportshub.cbsistatic.com/i/r/2026/01/30/5aa56f03-6207-413e-a021-b8a2e38af2e8/thumbnail/770x433/04e0781598ec25cd18e1d029129ff3ef/untitled-design-2026-01-30t133017-994.png" loading="lazy" height="433" width="770"/></figure>
<figcaption class="MediaShortcode-figcaption MediaShortcode-figcaption--indent">
<span class="MediaShortcode-credit">Getty Images</span>
</figcaption>
</div>
<div class="Article-bodyContent">
<p>The draw for the Champions League play-offs for the 2025-26 season was held on Friday, featuring some thrilling matchups as teams gear up for the knockout phases. High-profile clubs like PSG, Real Madrid, and Inter will engage in two additional fixtures in February, with Benfica, managed by Jose Mourinho, set to face Real Madrid once again following an exciting 4-2 victory in Lisbon. Inter will take on Bodo/Glimt in a two-match playoff, while PSG and AS Monaco will clash in a French derby. Meanwhile, Newcastle has to travel to Qarabag in Azerbaijan before facing Manchester City in the Premier League. Other notable match-ups include Victor Osimhen facing former Napoli coach Luciano Spalletti, as Galatasaray goes against Juventus and Diego Simeone's Atletico Madrid battles Club Brugge. All matches are scheduled for the weeks of February 17-18 and 24-25.</p>
<h2>Champions League Knockout Play-off Draw</h2>
<ul>
<li>Benfica vs Real Madrid</li>
<li>Bodo/Glimt vs Inter</li>
<li>Monaco vs Paris Saint-Germain</li>
<li>Qarabag vs Newcastle United</li>
<li>Galatasaray vs Juventus</li>
<li>Club Brugge vs Atletico Madrid</li>
<li>Borussia Dortmund vs Atalanta</li>
<li>Olympiacos vs Bayer Leverkusen</li>
</ul>
<h2>Benfica vs Real Madrid</h2>
<p>The highlight of the playoffs is undoubtedly the matchup between Real Madrid and Benfica. Just weeks after an intense league game decided by a last-minute goal from goalkeeper Anatoly Trubin, Mourinho's Benfica will visit the Bernabéu for the return leg. Real Madrid's manager Álvaro Arbeloa is eager for revenge after the recent loss in Lisbon. Despite a rocky start to the season, Real Madrid remains one of the favorites for this year's title, and Mourinho's return to Madrid could play a pivotal role in shaping the outcome of the 2025-26 season.</p>
<h2>Borussia Dortmund vs Atalanta</h2>
<p>In another intriguing matchup, Borussia Dortmund will face Atalanta in what promises to be an unpredictable encounter. Both teams come off disappointing results, as Dortmund lost 2-0 to Inter, losing a chance to progress to the top of the rankings, while Atalanta was defeated by Union SG. Under new manager Raffaele Palladino, Atalanta has shown signs of improvement, making them one of the potential dark horses in this round.</p>
<h2>AS Monaco vs PSG</h2>
<p>The French derby pits AS Monaco against PSG in a two-legged fixture. This matchup is reminiscent of last year's playoffs when the reigning champions had to face Brest in the same stage. While both teams have a competitive history, PSG currently leads Ligue 1, whereas Monaco sits mid-table and has failed to win any of their last five matches. Expectations are high for PSG in this encounter.</p>
</div>Fan Take: This draw is crucial for soccer fans as it sets the stage for some electrifying clashes that could completely alter the landscape of European football. For clubs and supporters alike, these matches could either pave the way for glory or spell disaster, heightening the stakes as the Champions League pursuit intensifies.
