Champions League Play-off Draw: Benfica’s Potential Opponents & Dates

Following a dramatic victory at Estádio da Luz, where goalkeeper Trubin played a pivotal role, Benfica will learn their fate in the Champions League play-off draw this Friday. Trubin’s goal propelled the team, coached by José Mourinho, to 24th place in the league phase and into the play-off round.

Benfica’s Path Forward

Benfica will be the sole Portuguese team participating in the draw in Nyon, Switzerland. Sporting CP has already secured direct qualification to the Champions League round of 16, finishing 7th. In the Europa League, both FC Porto (5th) and Sporting Braga (6th) have also guaranteed their places in the round of 16.

When and Where is the Draw?

The draw is scheduled to take place this Friday at UEFA headquarters in Nyon, beginning at 11:00 AM.

Who is in the Play-off Draw?

The 16 teams ranked 9th through 24th in the Champions League league phase will be included. The seeded teams are Real Madrid, Inter Milan, PSG, Newcastle, Juventus, Atlético Madrid, Atalanta, and Bayer Leverkusen.

The unseeded teams are Borussia Dortmund, Olympiacos, Club Brugge, Galatasaray, Mónaco, Qarabag, Bodo/Glimt, and Benfica.

Did You Know? Benfica’s goalkeeper, Trubin, scored a goal that was instrumental in securing their place in the play-off round.

Potential Opponents for Benfica

As the 24th-ranked team, Benfica’s potential opponents are limited to Real Madrid (9th) or Inter Milan (10th). Whichever team Benfica does not draw will be paired with Bodo/Glimt (23rd).

What Could Be Next?

The winners of these play-off ties will then face Sporting CP (7th) and Manchester City (8th) in the round of 16. A Sporting CP-Benfica matchup in the round of 16 is a possibility, which would be a first in European competition history.

Expert Insight: The play-off round introduces a significant element of uncertainty for teams like Benfica, requiring them to navigate a challenging two-legged tie against strong opposition just to reach the round of 16. The potential for a domestic clash with Sporting CP adds another layer of intrigue and raises the stakes considerably.

Play-off Schedule

The first legs of the play-off ties will be played on February 17th and 18th, with the second legs scheduled for February 24th and 25th. Teams that play their first leg on Tuesday will play their second leg on Wednesday, and vice versa. The higher-seeded team is expected to host the second leg.

Europa League Draw to Follow

A draw for the Europa League will immediately follow the Champions League draw in Nyon. While no Portuguese teams are directly involved, FC Porto (5th) and Sporting Braga (6th) will be monitoring the outcome to determine potential opponents in the round of 16. Their potential adversaries will emerge from the pairings between Stuttgart (11th)/Ferencváros (12th) and Celtic (21st)/Ludogorets (22nd).

Frequently Asked Questions

When will Benfica know their opponent?

Benfica will learn their opponent in the Champions League play-off draw this Friday, starting at 11:00 AM in Nyon.

Who are the seeded teams in the play-off draw?

The seeded teams are Real Madrid, Inter Milan, PSG, Newcastle, Juventus, Atlético Madrid, Atalanta, and Bayer Leverkusen.

What is the potential path for Benfica if they win their play-off tie?

If Benfica wins their play-off tie, they will face either Sporting CP (7th) or Manchester City (8th) in the round of 16.

What impact will this play-off round have on the overall competitiveness of the Champions League knockout stage?