Image: from Ben Jacobs X@JacobsBen
By Open Chronicle News Desk | January 30, 2026
NYON, Switzerland – The road to Budapest has become clearer for sixteen European heavyweights following the UEFA Champions League knockout play-off draw held this Friday at the House of European Football. With the newly implemented league phase format concluding earlier this week, the teams finishing between 9th and 24th have now discovered their fate in the battle for a spot in the Round of 16.
The headline fixture features Portuguese giants SL Benfica taking on the most successful club in the competition’s history, Real Madrid. The “Encarnados” face a daunting task against the Spanish side, with the first leg scheduled for mid-February at the Estádio da Luz.
The Champions League knockout phase play-off draw is complete! 🚨 pic.twitter.com/p6iIWwme04
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) January 30, 2026
In another standout pairing, a 100% French duel was confirmed as AS Monaco will clash with Paris Saint-Germain. This domestic rivalry adds a unique layer of intrigue to the European stage, as Luis Enrique’s PSG looks to overcome their Ligue 1 counterparts to advance.
Italian giants Juventus and Inter Milan also learned their opponents. The “Bianconeri” are set to travel to Turkey for a hostile encounter with Galatasaray, while Inter Milan will face the Norwegian surprise package Bodø/Glimt.
Other notable fixtures include Borussia Dortmund taking on Atalanta in what promises to be an attack-minded series, and Atletico Madrid facing Belgian side Club Brugge. Newcastle United, continuing their European journey, will battle Qarabağ for a place in the next round.
The first legs of these play-off matches are scheduled for February 17 and 18, with the decisive second legs taking place on February 24 and 25. The eight winners will join the likes of Sporting CP, Arsenal, Liverpool, and Manchester City—who have already qualified directly—in the Round of 16.
Full Play-off Schedule:
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Benfica vs. Real Madrid
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Bodø/Glimt vs. Inter Milan
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AS Monaco vs. Paris Saint-Germain
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Qarabağ vs. Newcastle United
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Galatasaray vs. Juventus
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Club Brugge vs. Atlético Madrid
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Borussia Dortmund vs. Atalanta
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Olympiakos vs. Bayer Leverkusen