Champions League play-off draw
On Friday, at its headquarters in Nyon, the continent's top competition drew the fixtures for the eight play-off matches prior to the round of 16.
After a thrilling final day of the Champions League group stage, UEFA held the play-off draw. The 16 teams ranked between ninth and 24th will face each other in a two-legged tie for a place in the round of 16.
The first legs of the promotion play-offs will be played on 17 and 18 February at the stadium of the team ranked between 17th and 24th, while the second legs will be played on 24 and 25 February at the home of the team that finished the Champions League group stage between 9th and 16th. The winner of this tie will play the first leg of the round of 16 at home and the second leg away.
Old acquaintances
Among the eight playoff ties, two stand out above the rest. On the one hand, in a Ligue 1 duel, Monaco will face the reigning champions, PSG. Last year, Luis Enrique's side also had to play in the playoffs against a team from their league, Lille, whom they thrashed 10-0 on aggregate in the tie.
The other intriguing match-up pits José Mourinho's Benfica against Real Madrid. The Portuguese side secured their place in the play-offs with an epic goal from their goalkeeper Trubin against Álvaro Arbeloa's team. The Spanish side are heavy favourites, but they know that if they don't play to their usual standard, they could suffer against a Benfica side that already knows what it takes to beat Real Madrid.
Other notable ties include Atalanta versus Borussia Dortmund, while Juventus, Atlético Madrid, Inter Milan, Newcastle and Bayer Leverkusen are clear favourites to secure their place in the Champions League round of 16.
Champions League play-off dates and times:
- Galatasaray - Juventus (17 February, 18:45)
- Borussia Dortmund - Atalanta (17 February, 21:00)
- Monaco - PSG (17 February, 21:00)
- Benfica - Real Madrid (17 February, 21:00)
- Qarabag - Newcastle (18 February, 6:45 p.m.)
- Olympiacos - Bayer Leverkusen (18 February, 9:00 p.m.)
- Bodo Glimnt - Inter Milan (18 February, 9:00 p.m.)
- Bruges - Atlético Madrid (18 February, 9:00 p.m.)
- Atlético Madrid - Bruges (24 February, 6:45 p.m.)
- Newcastle - Qarabag (24 February, 9:00 p.m.)
- Bayer Leverkusen - Olympiacos (24 February, 9:00 p.m.)
- Inter Milan - Bodo Glimnt (24 February, 9:00 p.m.)
- Atalanta - Borussia Dortmund (25 February, 6:45 p.m.)
- Juventus - Galatasaray (25 February, 9:00 p.m.)
- PSG - Monaco (25 February, 9:00 p.m.)
- Real Madrid - Benfica (25 February, 9:00 p.m.)
