The UEFA Champions League has already delivered drama this season, but today promises another thrilling chapter. On 29 January, Benfica staged a remarkable comeback at the Estádio da Luz, defeating Real Madrid 4–2 thanks to an extra-time strike by goalkeeper Anatoli Trubin. This victory allowed Benfica to secure a place in the knockout stage, but fate has now paired them once again with Real Madrid in the round of 16.
Last week’s first-leg clash at the Estádio da Luz was no less dramatic. Real Madrid emerged 1–0 victors, courtesy of a solitary goal from Vinícius Júnior. However, the match was overshadowed by allegations of racial abuse. Vinícius claimed that Benfica’s Gianluca Prestiani directed racist insults at him following his goal celebration, prompting a ten-minute stoppage. UEFA has since opened an investigation and issued Prestiani a one-match temporary ban.
Today, Benfica will face Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu without Prestiani. The footballing world eagerly awaits what the final chapter of this “trilogy” might bring.
In addition to this fixture, three other second-leg matches are scheduled for today. Atalanta will host Borussia Dortmund, Juventus will welcome Galatasaray, and Paris Saint-Germain will face AS Monaco in a French derby at the Parc des Princes.
What Each Team Needs to Reach the Round of 16
| Tie | First Leg Result | What Home Team Must Do | What Away Team Must Do | Historical Context |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Real Madrid vs Benfica | Real 1–0 Benfica | Avoid defeat to progress | Win by 1+ goal to force extra time; otherwise unlikely | Real has progressed 38/40 times after a first-leg away win. Benfica has progressed only once in eight attempts after losing first leg at home. |
| PSG vs Monaco | PSG 3–2 Monaco | Avoid defeat to progress | Win by 1+ goal to force extra time; otherwise tie-breaker applies | PSG has progressed 19/20 times after winning away in first leg. |
| Juventus vs Galatasaray | Galatasaray 5–2 Juventus | Must win by 4+ goals to advance directly | Can force extra time if trailing by 3 goals after 90 minutes | Rare feat: Only four times has a team overturned a 3+ goal first-leg deficit in Champions League history. |
| Atalanta vs Borussia Dortmund | Dortmund 2–0 Atalanta | Must win by 3+ goals to progress | Maintain advantage to force extra time if behind by 2 goals | Atalanta has never advanced after losing first leg by 2 goals at home. |
With stakes this high, every match promises edge-of-the-seat action. Real Madrid aim to assert dominance at the Bernabéu, while Benfica will attempt to write yet another unforgettable chapter. PSG, Juventus, and Atalanta also face uphill battles to keep their Champions League dreams alive, ensuring football fans across Europe will be glued to their screens.