Two Rivals, One Shock: What Madrid Might Face in the Playoff Draw
29 January 2026
What happened to Real Madrid?
Real Madrid found themselves in a difficult spot after finishing outside the top eight in the Champions League group stage, forcing them into the playoff round.
They lost 4-2 to visiting Benfica on Wednesday in a thrilling end to the group phase.
The defeat left Real Madrid on 15 points and in ninth place, the first of the playoff spots.
What to expect from the playoff draw
With Benfica securing the last playoff berth by finishing 24th on 9 points, beating Marseille and Union Saint-Gilloise on goal difference, Madrid still does not know their next opponent; the official draw will take place on Friday, but Bodø/Glimt and Benfica are the two likely contenders.
Under the rules the ninth and tenth placed teams face the 23rd and 24th, with a draw determining the exact matchups.
Finishing ninth means Real Madrid will either meet Bodø/Glimt (23rd) or Benfica (24th), after Benfica's late winner against the Merengues sealed their spot in the playoff.
Madrid could even face Benfica again in a dramatic night, though the higher ranking could give them the return leg at the Santiago Bernabéu.
Inter Milan finished tenth, so they will also meet Bodø/Glimt or Benfica.
As a reminder, the playoff winners will advance to face Manchester City or Sporting CP in the Round of 16.
Punchline 1: If drama were a trophy, Benfica would have it engraved on their jersey by now.
Punchline 2: Real Madrid’s calendar is officially in playoff mode—somewhere in the stadium, there’s a pen with a louder whistle than the whistleblower, and it writes jokes about Mondays that even the squad would applaud.
