Defending champions Paris Saint-Germain and record 15-time winners Real Madrid are among several European heavyweights forced into the Champions League knockout play-offs after failing to secure automatic qualification for the last 16.
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The draw for the play-off round will take place on Friday at 11:00 GMT, following the conclusion of the expanded league phase on Wednesday.
The final night delivered high drama, particularly in Lisbon, where Benfica stunned Real Madrid 4–2. Goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin struck a remarkable 98th-minute goal, sealing Benfica’s place in the play-offs and pushing Real out of the top eight.
This season’s revamped Champions League format features 36 teams, with the top eight advancing directly to the last 16, while the next 16 enter a two-legged play-off round in February to decide the remaining qualifiers.
Despite the extended format, familiar powers dominate. Clubs from Europe’s “big five” leagues claimed 17 of the top positions, with Portugal’s Sporting the lone exception.
Several notable sides exited early, including Italian champions Napoli and former winners Marseille, PSV Eindhoven and Ajax. Athletic Bilbao, Villarreal and Eintracht Frankfurt also failed to progress.
Among the standout stories are Qarabag of Azerbaijan and Norway’s Bodo/Glimt. Qarabag advanced despite a heavy final defeat, while Bodo/Glimt impressed by beating Manchester City and Atletico Madrid in their last two matches to secure qualification.
“We should be extremely proud,” said Bodo/Glimt coach Kjetil Knutsen, as his side now prepares for a potential glamour tie against either Real Madrid or Inter Milan.
Real Madrid could also face an immediate rematch with Benfica, while other possible pairings include Paris Saint-Germain against Monaco and an all-German clash between Borussia Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen.
PSG coach Luis Enrique remained confident despite the extra hurdle. “We will have to take the long route, but I don’t think anyone else can be considered favourites more than us,” he said.
Real forward Kylian Mbappe admitted disappointment after the defeat in Lisbon. “We wanted direct qualification. Now we have to play two more games, and that hurts,” he said.
The February play-offs will determine the final eight teams joining the last 16, setting the stage for the decisive phase of Europe’s elite club competition.
Champions League Play-Off Draw
Seeded: Real Madrid, Inter Milan, Paris Saint-Germain, Newcastle United, Juventus, Atletico Madrid, Atalanta, Bayer Leverkusen
Unseeded: Borussia Dortmund, Olympiacos, Club Brugge, Galatasaray, Monaco, Qarabag, Bodo/Glimt, Benfica
