Real Madrid Draw Benfica as PSG Face Monaco in Champions League Play-offs

Real Madrid Draw Benfica as PSG Face Monaco in Champions League Play-offs

Real Madrid will face Benfica in a high-profile Champions League play-off, while Paris Saint-Germain were drawn against domestic rivals Monaco following Friday’s draw at UEFA headquarters in Switzerland.

The play-off draw pairs Madrid with Jose Mourinho’s Benfica, just days after the Portuguese side stunned the Spanish giants 4-2 in their final league-phase match.

A dramatic 98th-minute goal from Benfica goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin secured the Portuguese club the final play-off spot and eliminated Marseille.

The defeat pushed Real Madrid out of the top eight positions, which guarantee automatic qualification for the last 16.

Benfica’s qualification capped a remarkable recovery after losing their opening four matches in the league phase.

They finished 24th in the 36-team standings, the final qualifying position, by winning three of their last four games.

Mourinho, 63, returned to Benfica for a second spell in September, having previously managed Real Madrid between 2010 and 2013.

During his time in Madrid, he won one La Liga title and one Copa del Rey, reaching the Champions League semi-finals three times.

The clubs last met in a European final in 1962, when Benfica defeated Real Madrid 5-3 to claim their second Champions League title.

Reigning champions PSG were drawn against Monaco after slipping to 11th place in the league phase.

Luis Enrique’s side won only one of their final five matches and missed automatic qualification.

PSG will travel to Monaco for the first leg, wary after losing there in Ligue 1 in November.

Monaco, however, have struggled domestically, winning just once in six games since January.

They sit 10th in Ligue 1, 21 points behind PSG, but secured a play-off place after drawing 0-0 with Juventus.

PSG eliminated French opposition at the same stage last season, thrashing Brest 10-0 on aggregate before lifting the trophy.

Elsewhere, Newcastle United were drawn against Azerbaijan’s Qarabag, with the first leg scheduled in Baku.

Norwegian champions Bodo/Glimt will face last season’s runners-up Inter Milan.

Juventus were paired with Galatasaray, while Atletico Madrid will meet Club Brugge.

Borussia Dortmund face Atalanta, and Bayer Leverkusen were drawn against Olympiacos.

The two-legged play-off ties will be played in February, with winners advancing to the Champions League last 16 in March.

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