Champions League play-off draw pits Real Madrid with Benfica as PSG face Monaco | OneFootball

Real Madrid will meet Jose Mourinho's Benfica in the Champions League knockout play-offs, with Paris Saint-Germain paired with Monaco and Newcastle drawn against Qarabag.

Goal.com reports that several European heavyweights must navigate this extra round after the league phase.

Real fell short of automatic qualification by one point, their 4-2 defeat in Lisbon to Benfica proving pivotal. Mourinho oversaw what was hailed as a miracle at Da Luz, capped by Ukrainian goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin heading in a 98th-minute goal to send Benfica through on goal difference. Madrid get an immediate shot at revenge.

PSG lifted the trophy for the first time last season but have been below their best this term, even with Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembele. Their title defence now runs through a meeting with domestic rivals Monaco.

Newcastle were the only Premier League side outside the top eight, with Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham, Chelsea and Manchester City already into the last-16. The Magpies must also make a long trip to Azerbaijan.

Elsewhere, Inter face Norwegian giant-killers Bodo/Glimt and Juventus meet Galatasaray. Atletico Madrid play Club Brugge.

The two German sides at this stage, Borussia Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen, will tackle Atalanta and Olympiacos respectively, setting up some intriguing ties.

First legs are scheduled for 17 and 18 February, with the returns on 24 and 25 February.

Source: Goal.com