UCL Knockout Play Off : Benfica Draw Madrid Again After Dramatic Clash

• UCL Round Of 16 : Benfica Draw Madrid Again After Dramatic Clash
• Previous 4 2 league phase win sent Benfica into play offs
• Knockout matches begin February 17 as teams chase round of 16 spots

The draw for the UEFA Champions League round of 16 and knockout play off fixtures has been completed, setting the stage for another round of high profile European encounters.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that one of the standout fixtures will see Portuguese side Benfica face Spanish giants Real Madrid, renewing their rivalry after a dramatic clash during the league phase of the competition.

The pairing has revived memories of their decisive meeting on the final day of the league phase, which took place in Portugal. In that encounter, Benfica recorded a 4 2 victory over Real Madrid.

The result proved decisive, as it enabled Benfica to secure a place in the knockout play offs while denying Real Madrid an automatic qualification into the round of 16.

Clubs were paired based on their final standings at the end of the league phase to form seeded and unseeded groups. Teams that finished between ninth and 16th were placed in the seeded bracket, while clubs ranked between 17th and 24th were classified as unseeded.

The format ensured that seeded teams were drawn against unseeded opponents in the knockout play off round.

Full Champions League Knockout Play Off Fixtures

Borussia Dortmund vs Atalanta

Olympiacos vs Bayer Leverkusen

Galatasaray vs Juventus

Club Brugge vs Atletico Madrid

Monaco vs Paris Saint Germain

Qarabag vs Newcastle

Benfica vs Real Madrid

Bodo Glimt vs Inter Milan

The knockout play off matches will be played over two legs on February 17 and 18, and February 24 and 25.

Teams that emerge successful from the play offs will progress to the round of 16, scheduled for March 10 and 11, and March 17 and 18.

With several heavyweight clashes and intriguing matchups confirmed, European football fans are set for weeks of intense competition as clubs battle for a place in the Champions League quarter finals.