UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Season

[Phoenix Anka]

What a games we just have yesterday, we can all agree on the Benfica win deserve to goes into the next stage, just imagine beating Real Madrid in the last round and being out of the competition just because of a goal, it was gonna be super depresant for the team, thankfully they reach a goal and what a goal it was, one of the most epic moment in Champions League for sure despite the stage.

Moreover, you score this goal against a team like Real Madrid. Benfica will never forget this night. It was definitely the game of a lifetime for goalkeeper Trubin, especially. There's probably no other goalkeeper who has ever scored against Real Madrid in their career. Scoring this goal at such a crucial moment was a magnificent achievement for Benfica. Congratulations to Trubin and Benfica. Despite a very poor start to the Champions League, they managed to qualify for the playoffs from 24th place. Marseille must be the most upset about this, because with Benfica moving up to 24th place, Marseille is out of the running.

[babo]

Yeah, very interesting, as Man City smashed Galatasaray 2-0. ^{Haaland made his presence felt within ten minutes.} Chelsea also beat Napoli 3-2. ^{It’s a shame for Napoli, as they finished the first half one goal ahead.} PSG, meanwhile, were held to the humiliating draw against Newcastle and now need to make real progress to gride it way through the the play-off round.

I was also surprised by Benfica’s win against Real. I thought the latter were supposed to be the favorites here.

The long-haired Antonio Conte's Napoli said goodbye.
They didn't lose by much, that's absolutely true, but they lost and the Champions League for them ends here.
Maybe it's a good thing for them too, as they can concentrate on Serie A this way.
They're already tired now, imagine if they continued to do both competitions..

[Hewlet]

On Madrid's performance this season i am getting confused as i can't tell why they are going through consistency issues even with there squad qualities and records yet they still come back with unpredictable results at last. Although last season they narrowly qualified from the first quarter of the tournament but did perfectly well at last maybe they are looking towards getting same record this season.

What is happening to real Madrid is a clear indication that you need more than just quality, a team that is ready to play together to achieve the set goal of the club and not one that is allowing the fame and title they have won in the past affect them at present. of cause, being Madrid alone is a responsibility on it own but that being said, what makes them a big teams is when they are able to do well in the midst of such responsibility. for real, Madrid has not performed as expected. imagine that they are not even part of the team that has qualified yet for the knockout phase of the tournament. if they continue performing this poorly, teams will start looking down on them and it will just be their old trophies that they can hold on to as what they can brag about.

from what we have seen with the teams that have qualified into the round of sixteen of the champions league it is a clear indication that the English teams are way stronger than teams from other league.

[Pjcr7]

Possible opponents to face off in this season's champions league play off and the winners will be able to qualify for the rounds of 16, extra two game for these teams that finished outside the top 8. Extra games means more tiredness for them, this is a punishment for finishing out the top 8 but last season PSG who took part in the play offs were the winners of the competition and this season they find themselves in the same fate, can they actually do a repeat of what happened last season even though it will be difficult to replicate. Real Madrid will either face Bodo/Glimt or Benfica again in their own fixture and I hope they get Benfica so Benfica can knock them out. PSG will get either Monaco or Qarabag. I remember last season in the rounds of 16, PSG were also drawn against a League One team. If they draw another League One team again, will it be a sign that PSG will win the champions league again?

[Joeboy]

Real Madrid hasn't been playing as a team for the last few years.
They're relying on the individual talents of their players.
They'll lose the league. I don't think they have much chance of progressing in the Champions League either.
Arbeloa might finish the season, but he won't be in charge of the team next year.
I always say that three players should leave the team immediately: Mbappe, Vinicius, and Bellignham.
If they send these three away, you'll see what kind of team they'll have.
And Rudiger should also leave from the defense.

I had my doubt initially when I read the part I bolded out, but then on a second thought I remembered PSG during the time of Lionel Messi, Neymar Jnr  and Kylian Mbappe....Even with how awesome the trio were on the pitch, they still weren't able to win any major trophies for their club, but we could see what happened with PSG when the trio left to their respective teams....That is why I like to resonate with what you said infact I think that if such happened in Real Madrid, Team collaboration will increase, the team would not longer be leaving responsibilities for just a single player( Mbappe)...

But then at least Real Madrid qualified for playoffs, and am not surprised if they eventually makes it into the Round of 16...

[red4slash]

On Madrid's performance this season i am getting confused as i can't tell why they are going through consistency issues even with there squad qualities and records yet they still come back with unpredictable results at last. Although last season they narrowly qualified from the first quarter of the tournament but did perfectly well at last maybe they are looking towards getting same record this season.

What I can say here is that their schemes are fully read because we know Mou more or less knows how things are done including for Arbeloa who must have adapted the schemes of previous coaches including Mou at that time so he so has a very good thing to anticipate what Madrid are doing and the rain conditions are quite large it seems like this hampers the movement of the Madrid players because we know they always rely on flat passes and runs so when rain conditions occur it is clearly a disaster for them.

Week 8 of the standings changed quite drastically and this is something that Madrid did not expect because with this defeat the position that was previously comfortable and could qualify directly in the end had to be left alone which made them have to go through the play off phase but the good thing is that this is an opportunity for Mbappe to score more goals.

[Unsoldier]

What a games we just have yesterday, we can all agree on the Benfica win deserve to goes into the next stage, just imagine beating Real Madrid in the last round and being out of the competition just because of a goal, it was gonna be super depresant for the team, thankfully they reach a goal and what a goal it was, one of the most epic moment in Champions League for sure despite the stage.

Trubin’s goal was a true football masterpiece for Benfica. I can only imagine the emotions that moment brought to the players and the fans. When I watched the match highlights, it literally took my breath away because of the power and the emotion behind it. Benfica were clearly extremely motivated that night. José Mourinho made a bold but brilliant call by sending the goalkeeper into Real’s box, and it paid off. Benfica showed real fight and true team spirit.

[hopenotlate]

What a games we just have yesterday, we can all agree on the Benfica win deserve to goes into the next stage, just imagine beating Real Madrid in the last round and being out of the competition just because of a goal, it was gonna be super depresant for the team, thankfully they reach a goal and what a goal it was, one of the most epic moment in Champions League for sure despite the stage.

This kind of match reconnects me with the game of football. The Benfica goalkeeper will have something to tell his grandchildren when he's old.
Anyway, aside from the dramatic way they achieved the result they were looking for, Benfica fully deserved this result: they had several chances to score throughout the match.

[Mame89]

On Madrid's performance this season i am getting confused as i can't tell why they are going through consistency issues even with there squad qualities and records yet they still come back with unpredictable results at last. Although last season they narrowly qualified from the first quarter of the tournament but did perfectly well at last maybe they are looking towards getting same record this season.

Real Madrid’s biggest problem is having players they can’t manage: Mbappé, Vinícius Jr., and Bellingham. If you can’t manage these players, you’re bound to lose.
The biggest factor behind Xabi Alonso’s dismissal was the irresponsible behavior of these players.
I’m sure Arbeloa will also be dismissed from this team because he can’t control these players.
The result they got last night was truly awful.

Before the match started Real Madrid was ranked third but after losing to Benfica their position dropped to ninth forcing them to play an extra match to advance to the play-offs. This defeat was certainly painful for Real Madrid. In the play-offs, Real Madrid will face Glimt or Benfica. These two teams should not be underestimated, especially Glimt who have defeated Manchester City and Atletico Madrid. I'm sure if Real Madrid doesn't qualify for the round of 16, Arbeloa will be fired immediately. Perez is furious if Madrid is in disarray in the UCL. If Madrid fails in the play-offs it's the same as not qualifying for the group stage if they use the old format.

Arbeloa mistake wasn't actually a matter of player ego but rather his odd substitutions. He brought in wingers but didn't reshape the center back. The midfield was completely empty and the attackers were stuck and lacking in resourcefulness. Gonzalo was only warming up from the 40th minute on even though he could have been an option if he wanted to play in the box. Albeloa shouldn't be afraid to withdraw players who aren't performing.

[Agbe]

For sure there is no way that they won't be embarrassed because they know because everyone was hoping that they should be able to deliver but at the end of the day they were disappointed, and there fans have been bragging and look at the result they got and I was not surprised I only smiled because this is not even the first time that real Madridis doing something like this am sure that even former players of real Madrid won't be happy with the way the club is been managed and it was a great lose because 4:2 is a very big margin between them and with this madir will not go far in the champions league they will soon be dropped.

It is actually disheartening seeing a team like Madrid in the current position they find themselves, they are one team that many had expected would do better this season in the champions league looking at their wealth of experience and the depth of their squad as compared to certain kind of opponents been given them, I can only hope they get better soon.

i don't understand why Madrid performed poorly yesterday, they have good players and so much money has been spent on the club to make them better but unfortunately. At some point i thought they were getting better until the match yesterday. well, let's hope that they are going to make up for it in their next matches. I don't think they are focused on going far in the champions league this season, they are not putting in any effort.

[Jessie2121]

Paris Saint-Germain 13pt
Newcastle United    13pt
Chelsea 13pt
Barcelona 13pt
Sporting CP 13pt
Manchester City 13
Atletico Madrid 13
Atalanta 13pt

I make a post about the clubs to join the other 6 teams who have qualified for the next round in the champions league and tomorrow is the only chance for this 8 teams to show all what they have to avoid the playoffs, as it stands many teams are seriously looking for a way to not be in the playoffs which I think is good not to be among the clubs for the play off. Securing a place in the first 8 teams will reduce the stress and it will be at least the league games to concentrate on till the time for the round of 16. Who going to book a place in the top 8 teams tomorrow?

These eight teams will be involved in do-or-die matches in the upcoming matches, and victory is crucial. They will also need to score a lot of goals, as scoring goals will determine their ranking after points to qualify for the next round.
While all of tomorrow's matches will be exciting, the most exciting and tense match will be between PSG and Newcastle, as a win for either team will guarantee their place in the round of 16.

Honestly yesterday's game was extremely exciting and one could not take his or her eyes off the TV screen for anything, the most exciting game was the Benfica Real Madrid game, it wasn't what we expected, while everyone was tipping Madrid to be the upper hand in that game the whole thing turn against them, now we see why is always good to start preparing yourself before times like this, now we have Madrid falling off the top 8 teams. Well,  wanted all English clubs to be part of the top 8 but Newcastle could not beat PSG last night, I wasn't too sure of PSG winning Newcastle because both sides have gotten used to each other and PSG too are not as dominate as before, too bad it ended in a draw.

[Shadiq]

I don't understand why Madrid performed poorly yesterday, they have good players and so much money has been spent on the club to make them better but unfortunately. At some point i thought they were getting better until the match yesterday. well, let's hope that they are going to make up for it in their next matches. I don't think they are focused on going far in the champions league this season, they are not putting in any effort.

I should praise Benfica for their great performance instead of focusing on Madrid's poor performance. I was watching the highlights of the match, all 4 goals scored by Benfica were eye-catching and I really enjoyed those goals. The match was very exciting, it felt like we were watching an El Clasico match. I also enjoyed the failed attacks a lot.

Real Madrid must take responsibility for the poor performance. There is no one else in their attack line except Mbappe. They themselves could not accept this defeat which was evident in their behavior. In the end, Real Madrid players lost their self-control and because of that they were punished with 2 red cards.

[Phoenix Anka]

Paris Saint-Germain 13pt
Newcastle United    13pt
Chelsea 13pt
Barcelona 13pt
Sporting CP 13pt
Manchester City 13
Atletico Madrid 13
Atalanta 13pt

I make a post about the clubs to join the other 6 teams who have qualified for the next round in the champions league and tomorrow is the only chance for this 8 teams to show all what they have to avoid the playoffs, as it stands many teams are seriously looking for a way to not be in the playoffs which I think is good not to be among the clubs for the play off. Securing a place in the first 8 teams will reduce the stress and it will be at least the league games to concentrate on till the time for the round of 16. Who going to book a place in the top 8 teams tomorrow?

These eight teams will be involved in do-or-die matches in the upcoming matches, and victory is crucial. They will also need to score a lot of goals, as scoring goals will determine their ranking after points to qualify for the next round.
While all of tomorrow's matches will be exciting, the most exciting and tense match will be between PSG and Newcastle, as a win for either team will guarantee their place in the round of 16.

Honestly yesterday's game was extremely exciting and one could not take his or her eyes off the TV screen for anything, the most exciting game was the Benfica Real Madrid game, it wasn't what we expected, while everyone was tipping Madrid to be the upper hand in that game the whole thing turn against them, now we see why is always good to start preparing yourself before times like this, now we have Madrid falling off the top 8 teams. Well,  wanted all English clubs to be part of the top 8 but Newcastle could not beat PSG last night, I wasn't too sure of PSG winning Newcastle because both sides have gotten used to each other and PSG too are not as dominate as before, too bad it ended in a draw.

I thought Paris Saint-Germain would be among the top 8 teams this year, but they finished 11th in the standings. Last year's finalists, Inter and Paris Saint-Germain, made it to the playoffs this year. This alone shows how exciting this year's Champions League is. Sporting Lisbon from Portugal achieved a fantastic success by reaching the top 8 teams. I don't think many expected this from them, as they managed to stand out among very big teams. Their victory against Paris Saint-Germain in Portugal was their biggest achievement in securing their place in the top 8.

[Jegileman]

For sure there is no way that they won't be embarrassed because they know because everyone was hoping that they should be able to deliver but at the end of the day they were disappointed, and there fans have been bragging and look at the result they got and I was not surprised I only smiled because this is not even the first time that real Madridis doing something like this am sure that even former players of real Madrid won't be happy with the way the club is been managed and it was a great lose because 4:2 is a very big margin between them and with this madir will not go far in the champions league they will soon be dropped.

One cannot be so sure about this, Real Madrid is a very strong team in the champions league and irrespective of their performance, as long as they’ve not being eliminated from the champions league, they have a high tendency of winning it. Haven’t you watched how Real Madrid have transgressed over the years in the champions league, when you don’t want them to win it, then don’t make them reach the finals or else, no team can stop them from triumphing. Champions league is a game that Real Madrid hold with high esteem and until they’re not eliminated from the competition, they can still win it regardless of their current form now.

What a games we just have yesterday, we can all agree on the Benfica win deserve to goes into the next stage, just imagine beating Real Madrid in the last round and being out of the competition just because of a goal, it was gonna be super depresant for the team, thankfully they reach a goal and what a goal it was, one of the most epic moment in Champions League for sure despite the stage.

This kind of moments in the Champions League are unending and we will get to see more to come as long as the competition is not over. There is a reason why it is the best competition and the league for only the champions. Even the underdog team you may see them drawn up against a bigger team, they still have the high hope of making it and beat them, that’s just the champions league for us.

[robe123]

that Benfica winner is still unbelievable

[Arenga pinnata]

The long-haired Antonio Conte's Napoli said goodbye.
They didn't lose by much, that's absolutely true, but they lost and the Champions League for them ends here.
Maybe it's a good thing for them too, as they can concentrate on Serie A this way.
They're already tired now, imagine if they continued to do both competitions..

The Napoli squad is clearly not ready to compete in more competitions. The team has limited numbers of players who are ready to play. Even on the bench, we can see that they are very limited. So whoever the coach is, we know that the team is not in good shape at all. A storm of injuries has hit the team, and it would indeed be better for the team to focus on just one competition. although failing in the UCL would still be very painful, the club owners should learn from what happened this season. The team needs to have more quality substitute players. This way, even if the starting players get injured, the team can maintain its quality with second-string players. arsenal is an example of a team that learned from the same issues Napoli is facing this season.

[Rockson1]

Benfica played a fantastic ball against Real Madrid yesterday, I never believed Benfica will give Real Madrid difficult moment in the match. The match was so interesting, and Benfica played well in their match, I was just so disappointed with how Real Madrid played in the match, I never expected them to lose to Benfica in the match, Real Madrid are now going to be playing in the play off.

Benfica were lucky that their goal keeper was able to score the final goal for them during the extra time given in the match which makes them qualify for the champions league play off. They played well and they were just determined to win the match, and they achieved that.

Benfica performance against Realmadrid has exposed some lapses in the club too, Benfica actually did very well, I was not expecting such a very humiliating result against Realmadrid, I had a bet on that match, the bet was a straight win in favour of Realmadrid but Realmadrid did not deliver as I thought they will, they have already won the match, there keeper goal was an one for them, many persons would've come up with the argument that the 2red cards that Realmadrid had contributed to their loss but am happy that all those read card came when Benfica was still leading, and all was in extra time, meaning that benfica was the best in that match between the two.

[BlackBaron]

Benfica worked hard until the end of the match to be in the play offs, because one last goal they created was decisive whether they would be in the play offs or had to fall early. And it was remarkable that the goal was scored by the goalkeeper with a header in the final minute, he was the decider of Benfica's qualification.

Because without that goal, they would be under Marseille, because Marseilla had better goal productivity before the goal was created. And the instruction from Jose Morinho was one of the biggest factors in their success in defeating one of the giants in this Champions League. And not only that, they also thwarted Real Madrid to qualify directly.

[Finebone]

Honestly yesterday's game was extremely exciting and one could not take his or her eyes off the TV screen for anything, the most exciting game was the Benfica Real Madrid game, it wasn't what we expected, while everyone was tipping Madrid to be the upper hand in that game the whole thing turn against them, now we see why is always good to start preparing yourself before times like this, now we have Madrid falling off the top 8 teams. Well,  wanted all English clubs to be part of the top 8 but Newcastle could not beat PSG last night, I wasn't too sure of PSG winning Newcastle because both sides have gotten used to each other and PSG too are not as dominate as before, too bad it ended in a draw.

You can say that again buddy, the real madrid game was just too exciting especially the closing stages of the game and the goal scored by by the benfica goalkeeper brought more spicy to the game.
At the start of the game, I never would have imagined that it would be even as fascinating as it was, because I thought that real madrid would have won easily, since they were seat pretty well in third position at the beginning of the contest, but after their 4-2 losing, they went down to 9th position which took them out of the automatic qualifications to a play off that they never saw coming.
So far, it shows that the English premier league team are the strongest since they have five teams that qualifies automatically to the round of sixteen.

[Taricoins]

What a games we just have yesterday, we can all agree on the Benfica win deserve to goes into the next stage, just imagine beating Real Madrid in the last round and being out of the competition just because of a goal, it was gonna be super depresant for the team, thankfully they reach a goal and what a goal it was, one of the most epic moment in Champions League for sure despite the stage.

Moreover, you score this goal against a team like Real Madrid. Benfica will never forget this night. It was definitely the game of a lifetime for goalkeeper Trubin, especially. There's probably no other goalkeeper who has ever scored against Real Madrid in their career. Scoring this goal at such a crucial moment was a magnificent achievement for Benfica. Congratulations to Trubin and Benfica. Despite a very poor start to the Champions League, they managed to qualify for the playoffs from 24th place. Marseille must be the most upset about this, because with Benfica moving up to 24th place, Marseille is out of the running.

This is what happens when you face against an experienced coach, I thought the Real Madrid player quality factor will override a coaches experience but saw otherwise yesterday, indeed Trubin will forever remember this match even if they don't end up going further into the competition. I was not able to watch the match as I was engrossed in other matches but from tactical breakdown from many analysts, seems Mourinho, took advantage of Real Madrids attacking fullbacks which left Asencios exposed, overall a good win for Benfica, once again Madrid wants to make it through the knockout round play offs.