Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid’s Potential Opponents for Champions League Play-Offs Revealed

Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid failed to finish in the top eight in the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League table and now have to risk it all in the play-offs. 

Real Madrid, who were in third place going into Matchday 8, lost 4-2 away at Benfica and finished in ninth place. Benfica goalkeeper Anatoly Trubin scored a last-minute goal against Real Madrid, allowing the Portuguese side to secure the last play-off spot.

Los Blancos would have finished in eighth place had they managed to secure a draw at Estadio da Luz.

Atletico Madrid, on the other hand, needed a convincing victory over Bodo/Glimt to have a shot at Round of 16 qualification. Alexander Sorloth scored the opening goal for the hosts at the Metropolitano Stadium.

 

But Bodo/Glimt scored on either side of half-time to condemn Atletico to a 2-1 defeat. Atletico Madrid finished in 14th place with 13 points.

Barcelona, who were ninth before Wednesday’s fixtures, finished in fifth place, while the other two Spanish teams, Athletic Bilbao and Villarreal, were eliminated.

Arsenal topped the table with a perfect record, while Bayern Munich finished in second place with 23 points. Liverpool (18), Tottenham Hotspur (17), Barcelona (16), Chelsea (16), Sporting CP (16), and Manchester City (16) filled the remaining six spots.

Which Teams Can Real Madrid Face in Champions League Play-Offs

The top eight teams have booked their place in the Round of 16, while the teams that finished between ninth and 24th have to compete in the play-offs in February. The eight victorious teams will complete the Round of 16 brackets.

Play-off opponents are determined by the league table. So, Real Madrid, who finished in ninth place, will face either Bodo/Glimt (23rd) or Benfica (24th) in the play-offs. Teams from the same national associations can play each other. League-stage fixtures can also be repeated.

The play-off draw, which will be held on Friday in Nyon, will determine Real Madrid’s play-off opponents. The All-Whites will play the second leg at the Santiago Bernabeu.

➖ Last-minute goalkeeper winner for Benfica to secure a knockout phase spot.

➖ Defeated his former club Real Madrid, causing them to finish outside of the UCL top 8.

José Mourinho really is the special one pic.twitter.com/1Fc9xhr5l9

— B/R Football (@brfootball) January 28, 2026

After failing to finish in the top eight, Los Blancos will have to play two extra fixtures in February. This not only makes the already packed fixture calendar more congested, but also disrupts Real Madrid’s special recovery plan for Dean Huijsen.

Which Teams Can Atletico Madrid Face in Champions League Play-Offs

Atletico Madrid finished in 14th place in the Champions League table. Based on the final rankings, they will face either Club Brugge or Galatasaray.

Brugge finished in 19th place, while Galatasaray occupied the 20th spot. Both teams had 10 points, and the same goal difference of -2, but Brugge outscored the Turkish side 15 to nine.

Bodø/Glimt’s last two matches in the UEFA Champions League…

✅ 3-1 win vs Manchester City
✅ 2-1 win vs Atletico Madrid

WOW. Fair play. As a Norwegian team, they are not even in season too. pic.twitter.com/j3T7OgzNvF

— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) January 28, 2026

Like Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid will also play the second leg of their play-off at home – the Metropolitano Stadium.