Benfica will face Real Madrid as Champions League draw for knockout play-off fixtures have been confirmed.
NewsOnline Nigeria reports that the draw for the UEFA Champions League last 16 and knockout play-off round has been concluded, setting up several high-profile clashes across Europe.
One of the standout fixtures will see Benfica take on Real Madrid in a rematch of their dramatic league-phase encounter. The two sides met on the final matchday of the league phase, where José Mourinho’s side claimed a 4–2 victory in Portugal.
That result proved decisive, allowing Benfica to edge into the knockout play-offs while denying Real Madrid an automatic place in the round of 16.
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Under the competition format, teams were paired based on their final positions in the league phase. Clubs that finished between ninth and 16th were placed in the seeded category, while those ranked 17th to 24th were unseeded.
Champions League Knockout Play-Off Draws:
Borussia Dortmund vs Atalanta
Olympiacos vs Bayer Leverkusen
Galatasaray vs Juventus
Club Brugge vs Atletico Madrid
Monaco vs PSG
Qarabag vs Newcastle
Benfica vs Real Madrid
Bodo/Glimt vs Inter
The knockout play-off matches will be played on February 17–18 and February 24–25, while the round of 16 fixtures are scheduled for March 10–11 and March 17–18.
