The first legs of the UEFA Champions League knockout phase play-offs are set to deliver intense action, as several clubs chase important milestones and star players aim to extend their impressive goal-scoring form.
Attention will focus on Lisbon, where Benfica welcome Real Madrid in a much-anticipated encounter. The fixture renews a historic rivalry and could shape the direction of the tie, with both teams determined to secure an early advantage ahead of the return leg.
With the knockout play-offs now underway, every goal, key statistic, and tactical decision could prove decisive, as sides look to take control before the crucial second legs.
Tuesday 17 February
Galatasaray vs Juventus (18:45 CET)
Galatasaray and Juventus have faced each other six times in UEFA competitions, all in Champions League group-stage matches. Galatasaray lead the head-to-head with two wins, Juventus have claimed one victory, and the remaining three encounters ended in draws.
This upcoming tie marks only the second two-legged matchup between a Turkish and an Italian club in UEFA history, including qualifying rounds. The first occurred in the 1962/63 European Cup quarter-finals, when AC Milan defeated Galatasaray 8-1 on aggregate.
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Galatasaray have been resilient against Italian opposition in recent years, losing just three of their last 17 UEFA matches against Italian teams (W7 D7) and remaining unbeaten in Türkiye since 1963, with seven wins and four draws from 11 games. The Turkish club is poised to make its 200th appearance in the competition, becoming the first team from Türkiye to reach this milestone, and they are just two goals shy of 250 scored in UEFA tournaments.
Midfielder Mario Lemina, who played for Juventus between 2015 and 2017, adds an interesting subplot. Eight of his 42 appearances for the Bianconeri came in the Champions League.
Juventus have lost only two of their ten previous UEFA matches against Turkish opposition—both to Galatasaray—and have not lost the first leg in any of their last six two-legged UEFA ties (W3 D3). The Italian side are appearing in the Champions League knockout phase for the 10th time in 12 seasons, while Galatasaray are returning for the first time since the 2013/14 campaign.
Benfica vs Real Madrid
Benfica and Real Madrid produced a Champions League thriller on Matchday 8, when a last-minute header from goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin sealed Benfica’s passage to the knockout phase. Prior to that, the two clubs had met three times in UEFA competitions: the 1962 European Cup final, won 5-3 by Benfica, and the 1964/65 quarter-finals, where Benfica defeated Real Madrid 5-1 in Lisbon before losing 2-1 in Madrid.
Benfica have struggled in UEFA two-legged ties against Spanish opposition, losing their last five attempts, with their most recent victory coming against Real Betis in the 1982/83 UEFA Cup. However, the Portuguese side have found some form at home this season, winning four of their six UEFA home matches (L2).
Real Madrid, on the other hand, had been unbeaten in ten consecutive UEFA matches against Portuguese clubs prior to their 4-2 defeat on Matchday 8 (W8 D2). The Spanish giants have also enjoyed strong results in Champions League two-legged ties, winning ten of their last 12 campaigns.
Kylian Mbappé has been in exceptional form, scoring 13 goals in just seven appearances this season, including eight goals across his last three matches. Real Madrid continue their impressive consistency, appearing in the Champions League knockout phase for the 29th successive season, while Benfica return for the fourth time in five seasons.
The matchup also carries intriguing personal storylines. Benfica coach José Mourinho previously managed Real Madrid from May 2010 to June 2013, winning the Copa del Rey in 2010/11 and La Liga the following season. Meanwhile, Madrid defender Álvaro Carreras joined the Spanish side last summer after making 68 appearances and scoring five goals for Benfica between 2024 and 2025.
Monaco vs Paris
This will be the first UEFA competition meeting between Monaco and Paris Saint-Germain, although both sides have previously faced each other in all-French European ties.
Monaco were eliminated by Marseille in the 1998/99 UEFA Cup third round, while Paris defeated Brest 10-0 on aggregate at the same stage last season.
Monaco have struggled in two-legged UEFA ties, losing their last five attempts. However, the Principality club have shown stronger form in the Champions League, losing only one of their last seven matches (W2 D4) and keeping four clean sheets in their previous six fixtures.
Defender Thilo Kehrer adds an interesting subplot, having made 128 appearances across four seasons with Paris, including 20 in the Champions League.
In domestic action, Takumi Minamino scored in the second half to give Monaco a 1-0 home win over Paris in Ligue 1 on 29 November, ending a run of three consecutive defeats and five games without a win against the capital club (D1 L4).
Paris Saint-Germain arrive in strong form, having won six of their last seven two-legged ties in the Champions League. The holders have only lost two of their last 12 UEFA matches overall (W7 D3).
PSG are competing in the Champions League knockout phase for the 14th consecutive season, while Monaco reached this stage last season but were eliminated by Benfica.
Borussia Dortmund vs Atalanta
The only previous UEFA competition meetings between Borussia Dortmund and Atalanta came in the 2017/18 Europa League round of 32. Dortmund advanced with a 4-3 aggregate victory, following a 3-2 home win in the first leg and a 1-1 draw in Italy.
Dortmund have struggled historically against Italian opposition in UEFA two-legged ties, losing their last three encounters, most recently to Juventus in the 2014/15 round of 16. The German side’s most famous European triumph over an Italian club came in 1997, when they beat Juventus 3-1 to secure their only Champions League title. Overall, Dortmund have won only one of their last seven UEFA matches against Italian teams (D3 L3).
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Victory in this tie would also mark Dortmund’s 100th win in UEFA competition. The German club have been strong in home legs, winning six of their last eight two-legged Champions League fixtures.
Atalanta, meanwhile, have fared well against German teams, losing just two of their previous 11 UEFA matches (W6 D3). They have won their most recent three encounters without conceding a goal and remain unbeaten in their last four UEFA away matches against German opposition (W3 D1).
Borussia Dortmund are competing in the Champions League knockout phase for the 11th time in 14 seasons, while Atalanta reach this stage for the fourth time in the last seven seasons, setting the stage for an intriguing clash between German resilience and Italian consistency.
Wednesday 18 February
Qarabağ vs Newcastle (18:45 CET)
This will be the first UEFA competition meeting between Qarabağ and Newcastle United, as well as Newcastle’s first encounter with a team from Azerbaijan. The hosts are making their Champions League knockout phase debut and are the first club from their country to reach this stage of the tournament.
Qarabağ have struggled against English opposition, remaining winless in their previous nine UEFA meetings (D1 L8). However, Gurban Gurbanov’s side have been strong at home in the Champions League, scoring two or more goals in each of their last six matches, with Camilo Duran opening the scoring in the previous two games.
Newcastle, meanwhile, have faced challenges on UEFA away trips, winning only two of their last 15 matches (D8 L5) and finishing the group stage with a record of one win, two draws, and one defeat in away fixtures.
This tie marks Newcastle’s first appearance in the Champions League knockout phase, setting up a historic and closely watched encounter between the debutants and the English side.
Club Brugge vs Atleti
Club Brugge and Atlético Madrid have faced each other eight times in UEFA competition, with the record evenly balanced at three wins apiece and two draws. Their most recent meetings came in the 2022/23 Champions League group stage, when Club Brugge secured a 2-0 home victory before drawing 0-0 in Madrid.
The Belgian side have a strong record in two-legged ties against Atlético, winning both previous encounters: a 4-3 aggregate success in the 1977/78 European Cup quarter-finals and another victory in the 1991/92 Cup Winners’ Cup quarter-finals. Club Brugge are also unbeaten at home against Atlético in UEFA competition, with three wins and one draw from four meetings. This season, they have scored three or more goals in five of their six UEFA home matches.
Atlético Madrid, under Diego Simeone, have struggled in recent knockout-phase ties, losing four of their last six in the Champions League. Beyond their clashes with Club Brugge, Atlético’s only other European fixture against Belgian opposition came on Matchday 4, when they defeated Union SG 3-1 at home.
Atlético are competing in the Champions League knockout phase for the 11th time in 13 seasons, while Club Brugge return for the second consecutive season, setting up another compelling encounter in this historical rivalry.
Bodø/Glimt vs Inter
The only previous UEFA meetings between Inter Milan and Bodø/Glimt came in the second round of the 1978/79 Cup Winners’ Cup, with Inter claiming a comprehensive 7-1 aggregate victory, winning both home and away legs.
Bodø/Glimt enjoyed a memorable run last season, defeating Lazio in a two-legged tie on their way to the Europa League semi-finals. However, that remains the only occasion the Norwegian side have beaten Italian opposition in five UEFA two-legged ties. Kasper Høgh has been in fine form for Bodø/Glimt, scoring three goals in their last two Champions League matches, while the team have scored two or more goals in six of their previous eight fixtures.
Inter have a strong record against Norwegian clubs, remaining unbeaten in four UEFA encounters (W3 D1). The Nerazzurri have also been dominant in recent Champions League knockout ties, winning six of their last seven two-legged matches and remaining unbeaten in the first leg during that span (W6 D1).
This tie marks Bodø/Glimt’s debut in the Champions League knockout phase, while Inter Milan arrive as seasoned competitors, having reached the final in two of the last three seasons, setting up a clash between experience and ambition.
Olympiacos vs Leverkusen
Olympiacos secured a 2-0 victory when they faced Bayer Leverkusen in Greece on Matchday 7. Their only other UEFA meetings came in the 2002/03 Champions League season, with each side claiming a home win during the first group stage.
The Matchday 7 win ended Olympiacos’ 13-game winless streak against German teams in UEFA competition (D1 L12).
The Greek club have also equaled their longest winning run in the Champions League proper with three consecutive victories and have won the home leg in six of their seven two-legged UEFA ties.
Defender Panagiotis Retsos, who joined Bayer Leverkusen from Olympiacos in August 2017, made 44 appearances for the German side between 2017 and 2022.
Leverkusen attacker Alejandro Grimaldo has been in form, scoring in three of the team’s last four Champions League matches. A single goal would see the German club reach the milestone of 200 goals in UEFA competition.
This marks Olympiacos’ first participation in the Champions League knockout phase since the 2013/14 season, while Bayer Leverkusen return after being eliminated in the round of 16 last season, setting up an intriguing clash between Greek resilience and German efficiency.
