Real Madrid has been drawn into an immediate rematch with Jose Mourinho’s Benfica for the Champions League play-off round, following the draw on Friday, January 30, 2026.
This high-profile pairing comes just days after the Portuguese side defeated Madrid 4-2 in the league phase finale, a result that pushed the Spanish giants out of the top eight and into this additional knockout stage.
Benfica pulled off a stunning comeback to secure the 24th and final play-off spot, winning three of their last four games after a disastrous start.
Their coach, the 63-year-old Mourinho, is set for an emotional return to the club he managed from 2010 to 2013, during which time he “won one La Liga title and one Copa del Rey while also taking them to the Champions League semi-finals in each of his three campaigns.”
In another major clash, defending champions Paris Saint-Germain will face a domestic showdown against Monaco. PSG dropped to 11th place after a poor run, winning only one of their final five league phase matches.
They will travel to face a Monaco side that beat them in November, though the principality club has struggled recently with only one victory in six games since the start of the year.
Last season, PSG successfully navigated this same stage by “hammering Brest 10-0 on aggregate before going on to lift the trophy for the first time in their history.”
Other notable fixtures include Newcastle United facing Azerbaijan’s Qarabag, while Inter Milan takes on the Norwegian surprise package, Bodo/Glimt. Juventus is set to play Galatasaray, Atletico Madrid will meet Club Brugge, and a heavy-hitting tie sees Borussia Dortmund face Atalanta, while Bayer Leverkusen goes up against Olympiacos.
Winners of these February ties will join the eight teams already waiting in the round of 16. That elite group includes Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea, Manchester City, Bayern Munich, Barcelona, and Sporting Lisbon.
Should PSG or Newcastle progress, they are slated to meet either Barcelona or Chelsea. Real Madrid, meanwhile, could face Manchester City or Sporting if they overcome Benfica. The final is scheduled for May 30 in Budapest.
Champions League Play-Off Fixtures
See the full list of Champions League play-off fixtures:
Benfica (POR) v Real Madrid (ESP)
Bodo/Glimt (NOR) v Inter Milan (ITA)
Monaco (FRA) v Paris Saint-Germain (FRA)
Qarabag (AZE) v Newcastle United (ENG)
Galatasaray (TUR) v Juventus (ITA)
Club Brugge (BEL) v Atletico Madrid (ESP)
Borussia Dortmund (GER) v Atalanta (ITA)
Olympiacos (GRE) v Bayer Leverkusen (GER)
— First legs to be played February 17/18, second legs on February 24/25
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