The UEFA Champions League last-16 draw has set up a thrilling lineup of knockout fixtures, with Benfica drawn against Real Madrid in one of the most intriguing matchups.
Benfica and Madrid last met on the final day of the league phase, with Jose Mourinho’s side claiming a 4-2 victory in Portugal. That result not only secured Benfica a play-off spot but also prevented Real Madrid from qualifying automatically, setting the stage for a high-stakes rematch.
The draw paired clubs based on their league-phase finishes, creating seeded and unseeded ties. Teams finishing ninth to 16th were seeded, while those ranked 17th to 24th were unseeded, ensuring a balanced knockout stage.
The Champions League play-off fixtures are as follows:
- 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 round is scheduled for February 17-18 and February 24-25, with the round of 16 set for March 10-11 and March 17-18. Football fans across Europe are eagerly anticipating these clashes, with potential upsets and dramatic showdowns expected.
