The road to Budapest has taken shape after UEFA confirmed the knockout play-off draw for the 2025/26 Champions League, with defending champions Paris Saint‑Germain handed an all‑French showdown against Monaco and several European heavyweights set for high‑stakes clashes next month.
PSG, who missed out on automatic qualification for the last 16 after a draw with Newcastle in the league phase, must now navigate a tricky two‑legged tie against domestic rivals Monaco to keep their title defence alive. The champions were placed among the seeds but could not avoid a familiar opponent, adding extra intrigue to a contest that will test Luis Enrique’s squad depth during a crowded February schedule.
One of the standout storylines is Real Madrid’s reunion with Jose Mourinho, whose Benfica side dramatically booked their play-off ticket with a 98th‑minute headed winner from goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin in a 4–2 victory over Madrid earlier this week. That result knocked the 14‑time European champions out of the top eight and into the play‑offs, setting up a rematch laced with narrative as Mourinho again faces his former club on the continental stage.
English interest centres on Newcastle United, who have reached the knockout rounds of the Champions League for the first time under Eddie Howe and have been drawn against Azerbaijani champions Qarabag. The tie will require a gruelling trip of more than 3,000 miles to Baku for the first leg before a decisive night at St James’ Park, with progression guaranteeing a glamour last‑16 meeting against either Chelsea or Barcelona.
Elsewhere, Galatasaray’s clash with Juventus brings together two of Europe’s most passionate fanbases, promising a fiery atmosphere in both Istanbul and Turin as each club looks to reassert itself among the continent’s elite. Borussia Dortmund’s meeting with Atalanta and Olympiacos’ tie against Bayer Leverkusen ensure Bundesliga representation in some of the round’s most tactically intriguing duels, while Club Brugge’s showdown with Atletico Madrid offers the Belgian side another chance to upset an established powerhouse.
There is also history in the making for Norwegian champions Bodø/Glimt, who have reached the Champions League knockout phase for the first time and now face last season’s runners‑up Inter in a test of their rapid rise against seasoned European opposition. With all eight ties to be played over two legs in mid and late February, the play‑offs will determine which clubs join Arsenal, Bayern Munich, Liverpool, Tottenham, Barcelona, Chelsea, Sporting CP and Manchester City in a star‑studded last‑16 lineup.
