Madrid giants learn their Champions League fate: Benfica and Brugge await
Real Madrid face Mourinho's return in Benfica clash while Atlético draw Club Brugge in Champions League playoffs, with both Spanish sides hosting crucial second legs.
Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid discover their Champions League playoff opponents, with both Spanish giants looking to overcome recent stumbles in Europe’s premier competition.
The playoff draw
The Champions League playoff draw has paired Real Madrid with Benfica, setting up a fascinating reunion with José Mourinho, while Atlético Madrid will face Club Brugge. Both Spanish sides will host the second legs on February 24/25, with the first legs taking place a week earlier on February 17/18.
This home advantage in the return fixtures represents perhaps the only real benefit from their group stage performances, as both Madrid clubs disappointingly missed out on direct qualification to the round of 16.
Real Madrid’s challenge
Los Blancos may have avoided a tricky trip to Norway, but they’ve landed themselves in a proper pickle against Benfica. The Portuguese outfit have already demonstrated they’re no mugs, playing football of a higher caliber than their current standing suggests.
The tie will mark Mourinho’s first return to the Bernabéu since his departure in 2013 - a narrative that’ll have the media in absolute bits. For Álvaro Arbeloa, this represents an early test of his tactical nous, particularly after witnessing Benfica’s capabilities at Da Luz just last week.
Madrid’s task is further complicated by:
- The absence of Asencio and Rodrygo for the first leg through suspension
- A congested fixture list affecting their La Liga campaign
- Missing the opportunity for a mini pre-season break in February after their Copa del Rey exit
Atlético’s situation
Simeone’s men have drawn Club Brugge, a side that already gave Barcelona a right scare in the group stage. While they avoid another journey to Istanbul, the Rojiblancos face a dangerous opponent with nothing to lose.
February looks absolutely mental for Atlético, with fixtures piling up across competitions. They’ll be battling Betis in the Copa del Rey quarter-finals at La Cartuja next week, hoping to secure a semi-final spot before turning their attention to European matters.
Other notable ties
The remaining playoff matchups include some tasty fixtures:
- Bodø/Glimt vs Inter Milan
- Monaco vs PSG (French derby)
- Qarabag vs Newcastle
- Galatasaray vs Juventus
- Borussia Dortmund vs Atalanta
- Olympiacos vs Bayer Leverkusen
The Dortmund-Atalanta clash looks particularly mouth-watering, while PSG face domestic rivals Monaco in what could be a proper London derby equivalent on French soil.
While both Madrid clubs enter as favorites, they’ll need to be on their toes against opponents who’ll fancy their chances after the Spanish giants’ inconsistent group stage performances.