Champions League 25/26 play-off: this week, coinciding with the Lunar New Year period, eight remaining places in the knock-out stage of Europe’s most prestigious club competition are set to be decided.
Shock has followed shock throughout the League Phase of this season’s tournament. European heavyweights such as Real Madrid, Juventus, Monaco and Borussia Dortmund all stumbled unexpectedly, while even reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain and last season’s runners-up Inter Milan failed to secure automatic qualification for the Round of 16.
That alone underlines the unforgiving nature of elite European competition. Yet the revised format offers a lifeline — a second chance in the shape of the play-offs.
Below is a closer look at the teams battling for survival.
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Champions League 25/26 Play-off Fixtures
The headline tie of the draw is unquestionably the rematch between Real Madrid and Benfica — a fixture that rekindles memories of their breathless League Phase encounter, where the Portuguese side stunned the Spanish giants with a 4-2 victory. The tactical duel between Jose Mourinho and the European aristocracy of Madrid promises to feel like an early final.
Elsewhere, the bracket delivers a series of stylistically rich match-ups: an all-French European derby between PSG and Monaco, Juventus bracing for a hostile reception in Istanbul, and a high-tempo confrontation between Borussia Dortmund and Atalanta.
The play-offs will be contested over two legs. First legs take place on February 17–18, with return fixtures scheduled for February 24–25. Below is the fixture schedule (Hanoi time, GMT+7).
First Legs – 17 & 18 February 2026 (Hanoi time)
18/2 – 00:45: Monaco vs PSG
18/2 – 03:00: Galatasaray vs Juventus
18/2 – 03:00: Benfica vs Real Madrid
18/2 – 03:00: Borussia Dortmund vs Atalanta
19/2 – 00:45: Qarabag vs Newcastle United
19/2 – 03:00: Club Brugge vs Atletico Madrid
19/2 – 03:00: Bodø/Glimt vs Inter Milan
19/2 – 03:00: Olympiacos vs Bayer Leverkusen
Second Legs – 24 & 25 February 2026 (Hanoi time)
25/2 – 00:45: PSG vs Monaco
25/2 – 03:00: Juventus vs Galatasaray
25/2 – 03:00: Real Madrid vs Benfica
25/2 – 03:00: Atalanta vs Borussia Dortmund
26/2 – 00:45: Newcastle United vs Qarabag
26/2 – 03:00: Atletico Madrid vs Club Brugge
26/2 – 03:00: Inter Milan vs Bodø/Glimt
26/2 – 03:00: Bayer Leverkusen vs Olympiacos
Tactical Assessment of the Key Ties
Real Madrid vs Benfica – Pride, pedigree and unfinished business
Benfica sent shockwaves through Europe with their 4-2 triumph over Madrid in the League Phase. This time, there is no margin for error. With their deep-rooted Champions League DNA, Real Madrid are often at their most dangerous when forced into a corner.
Mourinho was all smiles after eliminating his former club in the group stage, yet fate has paired the two sides again in this knockout gateway. Historically, Madrid rarely grant reprieves in repeat encounters. For “The Special One,” the second chapter may prove considerably more perilous.
PSG vs Monaco – A French rivalry on Europe’s grandest stage
The two Ligue 1 sides know each other intimately, but the Champions League is an altogether different theatre — where continental temperament outweighs domestic familiarity.
PSG enter as defending champions following a commanding triumph last season, yet paradoxically find themselves navigating the play-offs in the very campaign after lifting the trophy. Luis Enrique’s men may be slight favourites, particularly after edging Monaco 1-0 in January’s Coupe de France final. However, Monaco demonstrated their resilience by defeating PSG 1-0 in November despite being reduced to ten men — proof that this tie is far from predetermined.
Galatasaray vs Juventus – The fire of Istanbul
Few stadiums in Europe rival the intensity of the Türk Telekom Arena. Juventus will need composure and experience to withstand the atmosphere. On paper, the Turin giants possess superior pedigree and depth, giving them a statistical edge over their Turkish counterparts. Yet European nights in Istanbul rarely follow scripts.
Dortmund vs Atalanta – Intensity and transition
Two sides built on high pressing and vertical transitions promise open, fast-paced encounters. Both have worn the “dark horse” label in recent seasons, but 2025/26 will allow only one to advance.
Dortmund’s experience at the business end of European competition arguably gives them the upper hand. Atalanta, meanwhile, have been weakened by the departure of their talismanic forward Ademola Lookman, whose move to Atletico Madrid removes a critical attacking outlet from the Serie A side.
