Jose Mourinho will once again guide Benfica against Real Madrid in the Uefa Champions League 2025/26, this time, it will be in the tournament’s knockout phase play-offs.
Both sides first clashed in the final League Phase match on Wednesday 28 January, 2026, a match that had the Portuguese Primeira Liga side douse the Spanish La Liga giants 4-2 in Portugal.
The outcome secured Benfica’s qualification for the Play-offs, with Xabi Alonso’s Los Blancos finishing on the 9th spot in the standings.
The Play-off draws encompassed the teams that finished in 9th and 23th on the UCL League Phase. The top eight (8) teams bagged automatic qualification to the Round of 16.
All you need to know about the Uefa Champions League 2025/26 knockout phase play-off draw which held in Switzerland on Friday below:
Teams that qualified for the Champions League knockout phase play-off draw?
The sixteen (16) teams that scaled through to the Play-offs were confirmed following the conclusion of the League Phase.
Seeded Teams
- Real Madrid (Spain)
- Inter (Italy)
- Paris Saint-Germaine (France)
- Newcastle United (England)
- Juventus (Italy)
- Atletico Madrid (Spain)
- Atalanta (Italy)
- Bayer Leverkusen (Germany)
Unseeded Teams
- Borussia Dortmund (Germany)
- Olympiacos (Greece)
- Club Brugge (Belgium)
- Galatasaray (Turkey)
- AS Monaco (France)
- Qarabag FK (Azerbaijan)
- Bodoe/Glimt (Norway)
- Benfica (Portugal)
Draw Results?
- AS Monaco V Paris Saint-Germaine (PSG)
- Galatasaray V Juventus
- Benfica V Real Madrid
- Borussia Dortmund V Atalanta
- Qarabag FK V Newcastle United
- Club Brugge V Atletico Madrid
- Bodoe/Glimt V Inter
- Olympiacos V Bayer Leverkusen
Where the Champions League Play-off draws held?
The Champions League knockout phase play-off draw held at the House of European Football in Nyon, Switzerland.
Teams from the same association playing against themselves in the Play-offs?
Teams from the same association can field against themselves in the Champions League Play-offs. And teams can also play against teams they face in the League Phase.
Seeded teams to play return leg at home?
Ties are scheduled to take place over two legs, and the seeded team will, in principle, play the return leg on home soil. Each club will, in principle, play once on a Tuesday and once on a Wednesday.
• First legs: 17/18 February 2026
• Second legs: 24/25 February 2026
The eight (8) teams that emerge victorious in the knockout phase play-offs will progress to the last 16.
Photo: The Uefa Champions League 2025/26 knockout phase play-off draw held on Friday 30 January, 2026 in Switzerland | AFP via Getty Images
