Defending champions PSG were drawn up against fellow Ligue 1 side Monaco in the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 knockout playoff on Friday, while Jose Mourinho’s Benfica will return to Real Madrid in another
top-billed encounter.
Last season’s losing finalists Inter Milan will take on Bodo/Glimt, while Premier League side Newcastle were drawn up against Qarabag of Azerbaijan.
Turkish heavyweights Galatasaray take on Italian powerhouse Juventus, and Belgian side Club Brugge will take on Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid for a place in the knockouts.
German giants Borussia Dortmund take on Serie A side Atlanta and Greek outfit Olympiakos will square up against Dortmund’s fellow Bundesliga unit, Bayer Leverkusen.
Luis Enrique, will once again look to take the scenic route in the continental showpiece as the Parsias look to emulate their feat from last season in which they went on to clinch a maiden title after battling through the knockout playoffs.
Benfica, who secured their place in the top-24 of the revamped UCL table with a dramatic stoppage time winner from their goalkeeper, will return to Madrid to take on boss Mourinho’s former side Real in a deja vu!
Arsenal, Bayern Munich, Liverpool, Tottenham, Barcelona, Chelsea, Sporting Lisbon and Manchester City ranked 1 through 8 to move into the knockouts and await their challengers.
UCL Knockout Playoffs:
Borussia Dortmund vs Atalanta
Olympiacos vs Bayer Leverkusen
Galatasaray vs Juventus
Club Brugge vs Atletico Madrid
Monaco vs PSG
Qarabag vs Newcastle United
Benfica vs Real Madrid
