Monaco, Paris Saint-Germain in an all-French showdown
An all-French showdown takes centre stage in the knockout playoffs of the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday evening, as Monaco host current holders Paris Saint-Germain at Stade Louis II for the first leg.
This marks the first continental meeting between the sides, though the Red and Whites will draw confidence from their narrow 1–0 Ligue 1 victory at this venue in November 2025.
For the second successive season, Monaco find themselves in the Champions League knockout phase, which appears a respectable achievement for a side that endured an uneven league-phase campaign.
After opening their European journey without a win in three matches (D2, L1), Sebastien Pocognoli’s men steadied the ship by claiming two victories from the next three fixtures (D1), though those proved to be their only successes across the eight-game phase.
Matchday seven brought a humbling 6–1 defeat to Real Madrid at Santiago Bernabeu, but a goalless draw with Juventus in the final round was just enough to secure a 21st-place finish, edging them one point clear of the elimination line.
Now targeting a place in the last 16 for the sixth time in 11 Champions League campaigns, Monaco must also confront a worrying knockout hoodoo, having lost each of their last five two-legged continental ties, including last season’s 4–3 aggregate defeat to Benfica at this very stage.
Monaco have made a habit of unsettling PSG at the Stade Louis II, and their recent European home resilience suggests another stern test awaits the visitors.
Nevertheless, the hosts appear stretched by injuries at a crucial juncture, and Les Parisiens’s greater depth and knockout experience could prove decisive in a narrow first-leg advantage.
Credit: sportsmole.co.uk
Mourinho‘s Benfica welcome Real Madrid
Benfica welcome Real Madrid to the iconic Estadio da Luz on Tuesday evening for what promises to be a captivating Champions League playoff first-leg encounter.
The Portuguese side will take confidence from their stunning 4-2 victory over Los Blancos in the previous meeting, a result that adds intrigue to a tie between two sides with contrasting recent form.
A huge game for Benfica, who scraped into the playoff round on the final matchday of the league phase and now face one of the competition’s most formidable opponents.
The Eagles finished 24th in the standings, securing qualification on goal difference after a dramatic 4-2 victory over Real Madrid.
Jose Mourinho‘s side have shown resilience in recent weeks, winning four of their last five matches in all competitions, alongside one draw.
Their most recent outing saw them claim a hard-fought 2-1 victory away to Santa Clara, further boosting confidence ahead of this crucial tie.
Their home form has been particularly encouraging, with Benfica consistently posing a threat to visiting sides at the Estadio da Luz.
The previous meeting highlighted how open this fixture can become, but this time, Real Madrid are likely to approach the contest with greater control and intent, especially knowing what is at stake. Nights like these demand authority, and Madrid’s experience at this level often shows when the pressure is highest.
Given their pedigree in decisive fixtures and ability to manage big moments, Los Blancos are well-positioned to take control and punish any defensive lapses.
Credit: sportsmole.co.uk
Dortmund and Atalanta clash in 1st leg knockout playoff
Kicking off their fight for a place in the Champions League’s last 16, Borussia Dortmund and Atalanta BC will meet for the first leg of their knockout playoff on Tuesday evening.
Having kicked off their campaign with a spectacular 4-4 draw against Juventus, tame defeats to Tottenham Hotspur and Inter Milan eventually saw the German giants scrape through in 17th place.
The only real challengers to perennial champions Bayern Munich, Dortmund have recently moved within six points of the Bavarian heavyweights and remain in contention for the title.
After playing Inter last month, Dortmund must now host another Lombardy club clad in black and blue: their only previous meetings with Atalanta produced an aggregate victory in the 2017-18 Europa League, starting with a 3-2 home win on home turf.
Atalanta are unbeaten in four games, having booked their place in the Coppa Italia semi-finals by beating Juventus 3-0 and continued their steady rise up the Serie A standings.
One of Italy’s form clubs, Atalanta remain undefeated in domestic fixtures this calendar year, thanks to seven wins and two draws so far – last time out, they beat Lazio 2-0 in Rome.
However, due to their pedigree and home record, Dortmund must start favourites for this tie – but their playoff opponents are in fine form.
Credit: sportsmole.co.uk
Galatasaray, Juventus commence battle for Champs League last 16
Turkish heavyweights Galatasaray and Italian giants Juventus will commence their battle for a place in the Champions League’s last 16 when they meet in Istanbul on Tuesday evening.
Convening for the first leg of their playoff, Gala are into the knockout rounds for the first time in 12 years, while Juve have lost their last five elimination ties.
With a two-point buffer heading into the final matchday, Galatasaray could afford a tame 2-0 defeat to Manchester City when the league phase reached its chaotic climax last month.
That loss made it four Champions League games without a win – and just three victories in 14 continental fixtures – but they still scraped through in 20th place.
Since then, Gala have posted four straight wins across all competitions, racking up 15 goals in the process; captain Mauro Icardi has scored five, including a hat-trick in Friday’s 5-1 thumping of Eyupspor.
Galatasaray’s 200th European Cup match will take place on home turf, where they have lost just one of their last 11 matches in continental competition – and they have only once failed to score across the last 18.
Tuesday’s game also marks a seventh Champions League meeting with Juventus, following six previous encounters in the group stage: Gala won the most recent clash 1-0, in December 2013.
In fact, Juve have failed to win any of their three away games against Galatasaray, while the Turin club have lost five consecutive knockout ties since beating Atletico Madrid over two legs back in 2019.
While Juventus represent a step up in class, they Bianconeri have begun to leak goals and may succumb to intense pressure in front of a highly partisan crowd.
Credit: sportsmole.co.uk
Borussia Dortmund 20:00 Atalanta
Monaco 20:00 Paris Saint-Germain
The post Today’s UEFA Knockout Round Play-offs Champions League appeared first on The Ghanaian Chronicle.
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