Real Madrid's Trauma Resurrected by Play-off Draw

NYON, FRIDAY — Less than 48 hours after being defeated by Benfica, Real Madrid is confirmed to face the same opponent again in the Champions League play-off round. Madrid will once again face Benfica, the team that knocked them out of the last eight, and former coach Jose Mourinho. Trauma looms large for Kylian Mbappe and his teammates.

The draw for the play-off matches was held at UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland, on Friday (January 30, 2026) evening WIB. The 16 clubs, ranked 9th to 24th in the group stage, have already found their opponents to compete for a place in the round of 16. The most intriguing encounter is a rematch of the final week of the group stage between Madrid and Benfica.

The drama culminated in the early hours of Thursday morning. Madrid, winners of 15 Champions League titles, were defeated 4-2 away by Benfica. Madrid, who needed just one point to move into the top eight, were knocked down to ninth place. They were forced to play two extra games in the playoffs.

Meanwhile, Benfica actually managed to reach the play-offs thanks to a wondergoal by goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin in the final minute. Mourinho's team advanced to the last 24 thanks to a superior goal difference over Marseille. Prior to that rare goal, Benfica had been perched just outside the play-off zone.

The playoff draw, drawn by Arsenal and French national team legend Robert Pires, brings the two teams together again. Madrid, still reeling from the departure of coach Xabi Alonso, faces Benfica, buoyed by their magical group stage performance. They will meet in mid-February and late February.

A significant question mark hangs over Madrid's new coach, Alvaro Arbeloa. He must extract the players from the trap of trauma and devise a strategy to outmaneuver Mourinho, who is his mentor. Madrid's preparation time is only about two weeks. "We are still far from the best version we can achieve. We need to improve many things," said Arbeloa.

Meanwhile, Benfica has enjoyed positive momentum since Mourinho took over in mid-September 2025. The former Madrid coach has successfully imparted his experience to the players. Benfica qualified for the playoffs thanks to three wins in their last four Champions League matches.

Mourinho stated that advancing from the group stage this time feels different. He could laugh after the final whistle because he dared to take risks at a crucial moment. As the match was nearing its end, Benfica was awarded a free kick while already leading 3-2. Mourinho suddenly asked his goalkeeper to move up to the opponent's penalty area because a one-goal victory was not enough.

In that situation, a counter-threat was already awaiting Benfica. Madrid only positioned four players in the penalty area. There were Mbappe and Vinicius Junior ready to launch a counterattack on the unguarded goal. "You have to be brave enough to take risks. That is what makes this victory historic and very important, especially from a prestige standpoint," explained Mourinho.

Mourinho, a two-time Champions League winner, managed Madrid for three seasons (2010-13). He is a figure who succeeded in elevating the achievements of "El Real" amid Barcelona's dominance in the late 2000s. Mourinho contributed one title each of La Liga and the Copa del Rey.

The defending champion Paris Saint-Germain also received an unfavorable draw. They will face another French team, AS Monaco. The match will not be easy for the team coached by Luis Enrique. The last time they met Monaco, at the end of November 2025, PSG lost 0-1 in the domestic league match.

Not only in the play-offs, PSG also faces a tough opponent in the next round if they qualify. Ousmane Dembele and his teammates could potentially face Barca or Chelsea in the round of 16. The draw for the round of 16 and the final will be held on February 27, after the play-offs are completed.

PSG midfielder Vitinha isn't worried about the potential of his opponents. They won last season's tournament under similarly difficult circumstances, going through the play-offs and facing the top-ranked team in the group stage in the round of 16. "We don't want to think too much. Our problems are the same as last season. When the time comes, our game will flow naturally," he said.

Newcastle United, the only English team not to qualify directly, received a relatively easy draw. They were drawn against Azerbaijani side Qarabag FK. If Newcastle advances through the play-offs, England will have six representatives in the round of 16. That would be a new tournament record for teams from a single country.

Pires was asked for his opinion on the strongest championship candidate in this season's tournament. He stated that Arsenal, which finished at the top of the group stage standings, has a significant chance. "They won 8 times out of 8 matches, scored 23 goals, and conceded only 4 goals. Considering that, Arsenal is a championship candidate," he said. (AP/REUTERS)

Champions League play-off draw:

Benfica vs Real Madrid

Bodo/Glimt vs Inter Milan

Monaco vs PSG

Qarabag vsNewcastle 

Galatasaray vs Juventus

Club Brugge vs Atletico Madrid 

Borussia Dortmund vs Atalanta 

Olympiacos vs Bayer Leverkusen