After the conclusion of the league phase of the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League, and Europa League. UEFA conducted a draw to place the play-off qualified teams for February’s matchups. That draw produced some interesting clashes we will all be watching.
Champions League Draw Features Benfica vs Real Madrid
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Real Madrid [were shattered](https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7006345/2026/01/29/real-madrid-benfica-champions-league-mbappe-arbeloa-defeat/) to lose 4-2 to Jose Mourinho’s Benfica on the final matchday. The famous Spanish club will immediately be sent back into the fire against Benfica as they were drawn together.
The remaining matchups are PSG against Ligue 1 rivals AS Monaco (2nd in Ligue 1 vs 10th), Monaco won their h2h matchup in November.
Galatasaray’s heralded squad will take on Juventus, Borussia Dortmund will help settle the debate about the Bundesliga vs Serie A when they take on Atalanta.
Newcastle will have to travel far, surprise team Qarabag FK is their opponent, Club Brugge takes on Atletico Madrid, Inter Milan will have a trip to Norway when they take on Bodo/Glimt. Olympiacos will hope raucous home support will help them upset Bayer Leverkusen.
### Fenerbache vs Nottingham Forest A Europa League Highlight
The Europa League play-off draw features Nottingham Forest against Fenerbahce in a clash of [ambitious clubs](https://lastwordonsports.com/football/2025/09/20/heavy-spending-fails-to-lift-galatasaray-and-turkish-super-lig/). Bologna takes on Brann from Norway, Lille will face Red Star Belgrade, Celtic takes on Bundesliga side Stuttgart. Celta Vigo will travel to Greece and play PAOK, KRC Genk takes on Dinamo Zagreb. Ludogerets takes on Hungary’s Ferencvaros, while Panathinaikos will take on Viktoria Plzen.
Main Photo IMAGO / PA Images