Threat Signals from Champions League Playoff Survivors

TURIN, THURSDAY — The Champions League round of 16 playoffs officially concluded early Thursday morning (February 26, 2026) WIB. Eight teams followed those who had already qualified automatically through the top eight in the league phase. Judging by the drama that unfolded, the fighting spirit of the playoff survivors is likely to make the competition in the round of 16 even more exciting.

Atalanta, Galatasaray, Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Newcastle United, Bayer Leverkusen, and Bodo/Glimt secured their places in the round of 16. Their opponents will be determined in the draw for the round of 16, which will take place on Friday (February 27, 2026). Making it through the playoffs doesn't mean these eight teams are outcasts. On the contrary, their fighting spirit is far more tested and mature, having had to navigate a winding path to reach the knockout phase.

The top eight teams from the league stage, having already qualified, do have the advantage of hosting the second leg. However, never underestimate the fighting spirit of the playoff survivors. It's worth remembering that defending champions PSG also went through the playoffs before reaching the final.

The fierce competition in the playoffs has created a feeling of uncertainty. Galatasaray experienced this when they visited Juventus' home ground, the Allianz Stadium in Turin. Even a three-goal lead wasn't enough to secure Galatasaray's passage to the round of 16.

Juventus, under pressure, tried to "bite back" until the end. Indeed, "The Old Lady" managed to close the goal deficit in regular time despite playing with 10 men after losing defender Lloyd Kelly to a red card. Unfortunately, the final result did not favor Juventus as Galatasaray made a comeback in extra time with goals from Victor Osimhen and Baris Alper Yilmaz. Although winning 3-2, Juventus failed to advance due to an aggregate loss of 5-7.

Galatasaray's coach, Okan Buruk, praised Juventus's fighting spirit, which caused his team difficulties despite having a three-goal aggregate lead. After a fierce and tense match akin to a final in securing a ticket to the Round of 16, Okan is confident that his team will become stronger and emerge as a threat in the next match. Galatasaray is likely to face either Tottenham Hotspur or Liverpool in the knockout stage.

"We also struggled even after Juventus played with ten men. Their wingers are very good and forced us to defend for a long time. At halftime, I asked my players to be calmer, but we only managed to do that occasionally. In terms of performance, we should have played much better. But the most important thing is that we managed to reach the round of 16," said Galatasaray Coach Okan Buruk.

In another match, Atalanta also went through dramatic moments before securing a ticket to the round of 16. Facing Borussia Dortmund with a two-goal deficit, Atalanta put up a fight and managed to lead 2-0 at halftime.

The match became more exciting when Atalanta took a 3-2 aggregate lead through a header from Mario Pasalic in the second half. Dortmund managed to respond with a goal from Karim Adeyemi, but a penalty drama resulting from a foul by Ramy Bensebaini on Nikola Krstovic changed the final outcome.

Lazar Samardzic, who stepped up as the penalty executor, performed his duty well. Atalanta took the lead with only a few seconds remaining in the match, leaving no room for Dortmund to respond. Atalanta is the only remaining representative from Italy. In the round of 16, Atalanta is likely to face Arsenal or Bayern Munich.

"We fight when necessary, attack when necessary, and in the end, the result is deserved. The coach instructed us to stay calm, play our football, and believe until the end. We know we can hurt them, and we gave everything we had," said Atalanta captain, Marten de Roon.

Teams with a strong tradition in the Champions League, such as Real Madrid, also experienced uncertainty despite holding a one-goal advantage when hosting Benfica. Rafa Silva ignited Benfica's hopes by scoring in the early minutes of the first half. Fortunately, Real responded swiftly thanks to the first goal from Aurelian Tchouameni in the Champions League.

Vinicius Junior scored Real's second-half winner, ending Benfica's resistance. Had it not been for their composure under pressure, Real would have surely suffered another nightmare, being denied a direct qualification to the knockout stage by Benfica. Although they secured their place in the round of 16 via the playoffs, that didn't necessarily remove Real's status as one of the favorites to win the competition.

Real Madrid could face either Sporting Lisbon or Manchester City in the round of 16. Having qualified through the playoffs, Real Madrid will host the first leg. "People are used to Manchester City, because we've played them six or seven years in a row. It's been too many times, but we'll definitely meet again. Whoever the opponent is, it will be very difficult, especially with the second leg being played away. Both will be very tough opponents," said Real Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa.

Atalanta, Galatasaray, and Real have proven themselves capable of overcoming emergency situations. For this reason, they will be strong competitors in the round of 16. In addition to them, do not forget the sensation of the dark horse team from Norway, Bodo/Glimt, which made a surprise by eliminating last season's finalist, Inter Milan, with a convincing aggregate score of 5-2.

Inter has become the third giant team to be defeated by Bodo/Glimt after City and Atletico. Thus, it is not impossible for them to repeat a similar fairy tale in the knockout phase. (REUTERS)