Real Madrid, who joined the Portuguese giants in the play-off round, must beat Jose Mourinho’s Benfica to keep their Champions League dreams alive – two days after the goalkeeper’s victory Anatoly TrubinAn injury-time winner sealed a 4-2 victory in Lisbon and denied Real a place in the top eight of La Liga.

Benfica’s stunning victory has reinvigorated the 2025-26 Champions League, but more drama is expected in the playoff round, with strong teams such as Real, current champions Paris Saint-Germain, and last season’s eliminated finalist Inter Milan facing a tight battle to advance to the Round of 16.

Teams that finish in the top eight of the league will therefore be able to carefully plan their way to the final, which will be played at Puskas Arena in Budapest on May 30, ahead of the round of 16, while teams that finish between ninth and 24th will need to win two games in a row to continue their European tour.

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With a draw held in Nyon, Switzerland on Friday, with Blue Pass and Silver Pass both qualifying for the play-offs, who will advance and which major clubs could miss out?

The first leg will take place on February 17-18 and the second leg on February 24-25.

silver pass

Atalanta vs Borussia Dortmund

The two teams finished second in the league, with Atalanta narrowly ahead of Dortmund in 15th place. Atalanta were dangerous but inconsistent, with Raffaele Palladino’s side missing out on a top-eight finish after losing their last two games against Athletic Club and Union Saint Giroise.

Future of versatile forward/winger uncertain Ademola Lookman — The Nigeria international midfielder is a January transfer target for Fenerbahce — If the tie ends, Atalanta could be without one of the key players in their attack.

Dortmund have also lost their last two league games. Niko Kovacteam could be close, with neither team likely to make it past the round of 16.

Winner: Borussia Dortmund

Benfica vs Real Madrid

After the stoppage-time drama at the Estadio da Luz earlier this week, this instant reunion between Benfica and Real is clearly the draw of the round, but there is more to this match than just revenge for Real, who would have secured a top-eight spot had they drawn in Lisbon.

Incredibly, for two historic clubs with long winning records in European tournaments, Real and Benfica have only met four times in all competitions, with Benfica leading 3-1. In order to win this draw, Real will need to overcome their negative history. And with Mourinho in charge of Benfica, Real will know that their former manager is bent on eliminating Benfica in the second leg at the Bernabéu.

Real Madrid will not be suspended either. Raul Asensio Manager Alvaro Arbeloa has a lot to overcome against his old mentor Mourinho, as Rodrigo will miss the first leg of this week’s game against Benfica due to a red card.

Winner: Real Madrid

AS Monaco vs. Paris Saint-Germain

In theory, PSG should be happy to face Monaco with only French players, especially after negotiating a similar Ligue 1 fixture with Brest at the same stage last season. Monaco are currently struggling in the middle of the French league, but they did manage to secure a 1-0 win against PSG last November. Takumi Minamino Goal at Stade Louis II. Sebastian Pocognoli’s side will believe they can pull off an upset.

PSG have not been able to reproduce the form they showed when winning the Champions League last season, but Luis Enrique’s side should overcome this draw. Ousmane Dembele and bradley barcola He is now feeling better and PSG will have an advantage in the second leg at home. They should be too much for Monaco.

Winner: PSG

Galatasaray vs Juventus

Historically, Juventus, who have won the Champions League twice, have the advantage, but there is little that can separate these two teams at the moment, so there is no doubt that it will be a close battle. Galatasaray will aim to capitalize on home advantage in Istanbul with a 1-0 win over Liverpool in the league and build a commanding lead heading into the second leg in Turin.

Turkish side boasts plenty of veteran talent: Will the goals be scored? Victor Osimhen and experience Ilkay Gundogan Or will Luciano Spalletti be able to take Juve to the round of 16? It will be a close game, but with Juventus vulnerable, Galatasaray will be able to overcome the shock and break through.

Winner: Galatasaray

blue pass

Club Brugge vs. Atletico Madrid

This is a draw between a team that has done well in the Champions League (Bruges) and a team that has developed a habit of not exceeding expectations (Atlético).

It’s been 10 years since Atleti lost their second final in three years to Real, and Diego Simeone’s side have had little underwhelming form over the past decade. Atleti will face Brugge knowing that the Belgian side could end up with another disastrous result in the Champions League. Ivan Leko’s side have the Greek midfielder and are in a dangerous situation at half-time pace Christos Tsolis He is likely to land a big move on the back of an impressive season.

Winner: Club Brugge

FK Qarabag vs. Newcastle United

Qarabag were the first team from Azerbaijan to reach the Champions League finals, winning three league games and drawing at home with Chelsea. The first leg in Baku will be Qarabag’s best hope of keeping things close, especially as it will require extra travel for Newcastle, who have an increasingly congested domestic fixture list.

However, Liverpool’s comfortable 6-0 win over Qarabag at Anfield on matchday eight exposed a number of weaknesses for Newcastle to exploit, and manager Eddie Howe will be happy with a draw, especially given the substitute fixture was a tricky draw with Monaco. This will probably be one of the most one-sided draws, but Newcastle need to avoid becoming complacent in the first leg.

Winner: Newcastle United

play

Marcotti: “Real Madrid are in chaos in midfield”

Gabe Marcotti and Julian Lawrence analyze Real Madrid’s 4-2 loss to Benfica in the UEFA Champions League and look at what the club needs to fix going forward.

Bodo/Glimt vs. Inter Milan

Inter will have no worries in Ketil Knudsen’s side as the Norwegian side secured a place in the play-offs with dramatic wins over Manchester City and Atletico Madrid. But for Intel, it may be a different matter.

Will Cristian Chivu’s side travel to the Arctic Circle in mid-February to face Bodo on the infamous artificial pitch – the same venue where Lazio, Porto and Roma have already suffered humiliating defeats? Despite the danger of an away game, Inter will be the favorites to survive against a team with more than a month until the start of the domestic season.

Inter have a wealth of experience and have the added safety of playing the second leg at San Siro.

Winner: Inter Milan

Bayer Leverkusen vs Olympiakos

The two teams faced each other in the seventh round of the league on January 20th, with Olympiakos defeating Greece 2-0. With the first leg at Piraeus’ intimidating Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium, Olympiakos could build a commanding lead for the forward’s return match in Germany Ayub El Kaabi and Mehdi Taremi He will likely be able to maintain his good form this season as well.

Leverkusen are a team in transition, but they should still win this draw in two games. Olympiakos are dangerous outsiders, as they showed when they won the 2024 UEFA Europa Conference League, so this tie could last until penalties.

Winner: Olympiakos