Madrid clubs learn Champions League playoff schedules: Atleti get short turnaround, Real face longer wait
UEFA confirms Champions League playoff dates with Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid facing different timelines in their knockout round fixtures.
Champions League playoff schedules have been set, with Madrid’s two giants facing contrasting timelines in their quest to reach the last 16.
Different schedules for Madrid rivals
UEFA hasn’t wasted any time sorting out the dates and kickoff times for the Champions League playoff round. The two Madrid clubs face notably different turnaround times between their respective fixtures:
- Atlético Madrid: Short turnaround (first leg Wednesday 18th, second leg Tuesday 24th)
- Real Madrid: Extended wait (first leg Tuesday 17th, second leg Wednesday 25th)
This scheduling quirk means Los Colchoneros will complete both legs of their tie in just six days, while Carlo Ancelotti’s men will have over a week between their fixtures.
Real Madrid’s Portuguese test
Los Blancos begin their knockout journey with a trip to Portugal’s Estádio da Luz to face Benfica on Tuesday, February 17th at 21:00 CET. The return leg against Mourinho’s former club takes place at the Santiago Bernabéu on Wednesday, February 25th, also kicking off at 21:00 CET.
Atlético’s Belgian challenge
Diego Simeone’s side will travel to Belgium for their first leg against Club Brugge on Wednesday, February 18th at 21:00 CET. The tie will conclude at the Metropolitano on Tuesday, February 24th with an earlier kickoff time of 18:45 CET.
The compressed schedule could be a right old banana skin for Atleti, giving them less recovery time between matches and potentially impacting their domestic campaign. Meanwhile, Real get the luxury of spreading their fixtures a bit more, though they’ll be up against it with Mourinho’s tactical nous to contend with.
Both Madrid clubs will be hoping to advance to the business end of the competition, but these scheduling differences might just have a say in how fresh they’re feeling when the second legs roll around. As they say in the East End, it’s not just about the quality on the pitch – sometimes it’s all about the old Father Time.