The draw for the 2025 UEFA Champions League knockout phase has produced some thrilling matchups, as high-profile teams like Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, and Juventus gear up for intense battles. Real Madrid will take on Benfica, while PSG faces a tough challenge against Monaco. The stage is set for some dramatic clashes in the road to the round of 16.
MOMENT OF REDEMPTION
Real Madrid vs Benfica: Real Madrid will face Benfica in a rematch that follows a dramatic group-stage encounter. Benfica stunned Real Madrid with a 4-2 victory on January 28, 2026, with a dramatic stoppage-time goal by goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin.
PSG vs Monaco: Paris Saint-Germain have been drawn against Monaco, promising a French football showdown.
Other Matchups:
- Borussia Dortmund vs Atalanta
- Galatasaray vs Juventus
- Atletico Madrid vs Club Brugge
- Olympiacos vs Bayer Leverkusen
- Qarabag vs Newcastle United
- Inter Milan vs Bodo/Glimt
The draw, conducted on January 30, 2026, in Nyon, Switzerland, marks the start of the Champions League knockout phase. As the new format requires teams to battle in a two-legged playoff, the stakes are high for every match. The draw produced some anticipated clashes, including Real Madrid’s rematch against Benfica, while PSG’s matchup with Monaco is sure to capture the attention of French football fans. UEFA’s Giorgio Marchetti described the league phase as an “emotional rollercoaster,” citing late dramatic goals and unexpected twists that exceeded expectations.
The 2025 Champions League has been full of surprises in the league phase, with top teams like Real Madrid and PSG slipping into the playoff round. This phase will now determine which teams have the resolve to make it to the round of 16 and, eventually, the final. Robert Pires, assisting with the draw, praised the new format for its excitement and the dynamic matchups it has produced.
WHAT IS THE FATE OF TEAMS IN THE PLAYOFF?
The 2025 UEFA Champions League playoffs now promise high drama as teams like Real Madrid, PSG, and Juventus prepare to face their toughest tests yet. For clubs like Inter Milan and Newcastle United, the knockout phase represents a golden opportunity to make their mark on the European stage. As the battle for the coveted Champions League trophy intensifies, only the strongest teams will survive to compete in the round of 16.
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