PSG, Real Madrid Await Champions League Play-Offs Draw After Missing Direct Qualification
The two-legged play-offs will be played in February, with the eight winners advancing to the last 16.
The UEFA Champions League trophy is lifted in the air as Paris Saint-Germain celebrate winning the UEFA Champions League final football match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Inter Milan in Munich, southern Germany, on May 31, 2025.Photo/Courtesy
By Ruth Sang
Direct qualification to Champions League play-offs was not achieved by PSG and Real Madrid.
European soccer powerhouses need to participate in the play-off matches. The reigning champion Paris Saint-Germain together with 15-time Champions League victor Real Madrid need to complete the play-off round because they did not achieve automatic entry into the round of 16 matches. The two teams experienced elimination from the top eight positions in the league stage, which required them to compete through the longer and more challenging process of European football’s most prestigious club tournament.
The knockout phase playoff draw will take place on Friday at 1100 GMT after the league phase concludes on Wednesday night. European teams fought for their positions during the final round of matches, which produced numerous intense and exciting moments.
The Last Decision in Lisbon Determined Which Teams Would Go Through
Benfica defeated Real Madrid 4-2 in Lisbon, which became one of the most thrilling matches of the year. The match produced a remarkable moment in stoppage time when goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin scored in the 98th minute, a goal that sealed Benfica’s place in the play-offs. The result forced Real Madrid to leave the top eight positions, which resulted in the Spanish team needing to complete an extra knockout match.
Expanded Format Raises Stakes
The Champions League maintains the expanded 36-team format which was implemented in the previous season. The competition currently needs 144 matches to complete the elimination of 12 teams from contention. The top eight teams from the overall standings advance directly to the last 16 matches in the tournament, while the remaining 16 teams will fight for the last eight places through the play-off matches.
The final team standings confirmed that traditional European powers dominated the tournament despite adding more teams to the competition. The top 17 positions were occupied by teams from the major European leagues, which include England, Spain, Italy, Germany, and France, except for Sporting of Portugal, which was the only team to reach that level.
Big Names Fall Short
Most heavyweight teams progressed, yet some of the well-known teams exited the tournament earlier than expected to occur. Italian champions Napoli were knocked out, along with former European winners Marseille, PSV Eindhoven and Ajax. Athletic Bilbao, Villarreal and Eintracht Frankfurt also failed to make it beyond the league phase.
Unexpected Play-Off Qualifiers Impress
The best stories from the league phase belonged to Qarabag of Azerbaijan and Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt. Qarabag reached the play-offs despite suffering a heavy 6-0 defeat to Liverpool in their final match. Bodo/Glimt established an outstanding achievement. The Norwegian champions obtained their qualification after winning against both Manchester City and Atletico Madrid during their final two matches of the season.
Kjetil Knutsen, their coach, stated that the accomplishment should make the club “extremely proud. Bodo/Glimt now face the prospect of a glamorous tie against either Real Madrid or last season’s runners-up, Inter Milan.
Potential Blockbuster Match-Ups
Several exciting matchups may result from the upcoming draw. Real Madrid may be paired with Benfica again in an immediate rematch, while PSG could face fellow French side Monaco. The upcoming match between Borussia Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen will result in an all-German matchup.
PSG coach Luis Enrique remained confident despite the extra hurdle, insisting his side are still strong contenders. Kylian Mbappe, who plays for Real Madrid, expressed his disappointment about extending his playing time because the team needs to concentrate on upcoming matches.
Play-Off Format and Teams
The two-legged play-offs will be played in February, with the eight winners advancing to the last 16.
Real Madrid, Inter Milan, Paris Saint-Germain, Newcastle United, Juventus, Atletico Madrid, Atalanta, and Bayer Leverkusen are the teams that received seeded status. The unseeded teams include Borussia Dortmund, Olympiacos, Club Brugge, Galatasaray, Monaco, Qarabag, Bodo/Glimt, and Benfica.
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