Summary
Real Madrid and Benfica, coached by Jose Mourinho, will compete in the UEFA Champions League playoffs. Paris Saint-Germain will face Monaco in another playoff match. The playoffs are needed because some teams, including Real and PSG, did not automatically qualify for the last 16 due to their league phase results.
Key Facts
- Real Madrid will play against Benfica, led by former Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho, in the UEFA Champions League playoffs.
- Benfica secured their playoff spot by defeating Real Madrid 4-2, with a last-minute goal from their goalkeeper, Anatoliy Trubin.
- The top eight teams from the Champions League league phase automatically advanced to the round of 16; the next 16 teams will play in a two-legged playoff to qualify.
- Paris Saint-Germain will face Monaco in their playoff match.
- PSG finished 11th in the league phase, missing automatic qualification due to dropping points late in the competition.
- Monaco, currently 10th in Ligue 1, will play against PSG in the European playoff.
- The Champions League playoffs will occur in February.
- Newcastle United will play Qarabag, Inter Milan will face Bodo/Glimt, Juventus will play Galatasaray, and Atletico Madrid will meet Club Brugge.
