UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Season

[Derekfunds]

I predict Real Madrid performance in the first leg of the playoffs against Benfica won't be as bad as the previous match. I don't doubt Real Madrid's mentality and experience in the Champions League, as they are the club with the most trophies. In the first leg, Real Madrid needs to avoid losing by less than 2 goals to make it easier to mount a comeback in the second leg at home. Therefore, considering Real Madrid's mentality and experience in the Champions League, I'm optimistic that Real Madrid will advance from the playoffs.

At this point Real Madrid will not be giving in to pressure, they will want to use their experience and the best of their effort to get passed this stage of the league, I have no doubt just like you that Madrid will do better this time, but Benfica will not be willing to make it easy so Madrid should be ready for every form of Resistance they will be receiving from Benfica in the games they will be playing against them.

The match may just end in draw because I don’t see Real Madrid winning Benfica. Real Madrid is not as informed as everyone is thinking and you are correct. They have experience in champions league, but if they don’t have good players and experience coach, they cannot keep the record they have been keeping before, I believe the match will end in draw and Benfica may even end up winning them again. I know the match will not be an easy one for Benfica and it will not be an easy one also for Real Madrid. I cannot wait to watch the match and see how Real Madrid we doing in that match.

I have seen Real Madrid do mysterious things in champions league so many time even when they are in good form and when they are not in a good form but currently there is a bit change in that Real Madrid we use to know before and this one now. They may win Benfica but the possibility is the same with the possibility of Benfica also winning them or drawing with them so it is more like a 50/50 game more or less survival of the fittest though I'm not saying Benfica is better than Real Madrid but rather I'm saying Benfica is a team that has defeated Real Madrid more than...

[Mate2237]

Madrid are indeed wounded lions and so they will be coming into this game to unleash the venom that they have. Madrid are the favorite coming into this game, Madrid has to win this game and prove all those doubting them wrong. Madrid is under pressure to deliver so they should approach this game with calm because, I know what Mourinho can bring  to the table in terms of tactics rushing Benfica to score  them will not be a good idea.


Mourinho is a veteran when it comes to coaching and he has what it takes to play Madrid, Benfica has to hold their defense defense very well because Madrid will be coming out with full force to attack. A good r result from this game will lift the hopes of Benfica going into the second leg. Benfica has done it before against Madrid so who says that they can do it again the second time.

[Tmoonz]

We are only a day away from the first leg matches of the CL playoff round...

I can't wait to see the Galatasaray v Juventus match.    We have one of the toughest opponents ahead from the Serie A. I just hope we catch them tired after the Inter match.

Maybe we can win against them home at least. But as for advancing to last 16, I can't be sure of my team to tell the truth. We just need to show our best effort. Not like the one we showed against Manchester City.

The match between Galatasaray and Juventus is going to be interesting,  but I am more interested in the match between Benfica and Real Madrid. The last time Benfica won 4-2, but I think Real Madrid have another chance to do better than the way they did in the last match. I also noticed that Benfica have a good record against Real Madrid at home, but I will like to see how this one turns out, but I believe it's going to be an interesting match to watch.

Despite the good record they are having against them i think Real Madrid is wining this game no doubt, it's just 4-2 and Real Madrid might come back to win the game 0-3 if care is not taken, but deep down i'm seeing Real Madrid wining that game no doubt, and another interesting game again is the game between Galatasaray vs Juventus, the both teams are desperate to move to the next level of the competition so it wont really be an easy game and again the both teams have got some pretty good players so it's really hard to predict but i win go with Galatasaray to win at my own risk.

[Smack That Ace]

Despite the good record they are having against them i think Real Madrid is wining this game no doubt, it's just 4-2 and Real Madrid might come back to win the game 0-3 if care is not taken, but deep down i'm seeing Real Madrid wining that game no doubt, and another interesting game again is the game between Galatasaray vs Juventus, the both teams are desperate to move to the next level of the competition so it wont really be an easy game and again the both teams have got some pretty good players so it's really hard to predict but i win go with Galatasaray to win at my own risk.

Real Madrid is the most experienced team in the champions league. Their squad is also very strong. They even have the ability to win the champions league. But the problem is that the interim manager Arbeloa is not  experienced enough. We are all waiting to see how he will resist Mourinho's tactics.

Your prediction is that Madrid will win 3-0 . Do not forget that this is benfica's home match. Ensuring a big win at Benfica's home is undoubtedly a big challenge. There is even a big possibility that Madrid will not  win the match. Don't think of Benfica as weak. Especially after having a manager like Mourinho, there is no chance that this team will be considered weak. Also, this is  the squad that defeated Madrid 4-2 in the previous match.

[whiteblue]

Madrid are indeed wounded lions and so they will be coming into this game to unleash the venom that they have. Madrid are the favorite coming into this game, Madrid has to win this game and prove all those doubting them wrong. Madrid is under pressure to deliver so they should approach this game with calm because, I know what Mourinho can bring  to the table in terms of tactics rushing Benfica to score  them will not be a good idea.


Mourinho is a veteran when it comes to coaching and he has what it takes to play Madrid, Benfica has to hold their defense defense very well because Madrid will be coming out with full force to attack. A good r result from this game will lift the hopes of Benfica going into the second leg. Benfica has done it before against Madrid so who says that they can do it again the second time.

More precisely, they're a limping tiger. Their strength is unstable and not up to expectations. Whoever they face, Real Madrid will definitely be the favorite. Even though Madrid is a limping tiger, it still has the fangs to fight and defeat its enemies. It's a mature tiger, still wild and still feared.

It's time for revenge, but I don't know how much preparation Arbeloa has done for this match. After all, Mourinho has beaten them before. This should be an opportunity to avenge the loss in yesterday's qualifying round.

[Die_empty]

Despite the good record they are having against them i think Real Madrid is wining this game no doubt, it's just 4-2 and Real Madrid might come back to win the game 0-3 if care is not taken, but deep down i'm seeing Real Madrid wining that game no doubt, and another interesting game again is the game between Galatasaray vs Juventus, the both teams are desperate to move to the next level of the competition so it wont really be an easy game and again the both teams have got some pretty good players so it's really hard to predict but i win go with Galatasaray to win at my own risk.

I was not pleased with Real Madrid's performance in their La Liga game against Real Sociedad. It took two penalties scored by Vinicius Junior for them to win that game. The absence of Kylian Mbappé was felt because the attack was not at its best. I wouldn't predict this match based on the last game in the group stage that Benfica won. Real Madrid will beat them in the two legs. This is just my predictions, and I can also be wrong.

Galatasaray has some good players, but they are inexperienced when it comes to the UEFA Champions League. They have not been impressive in their last games in the Group stage. They were lucky to make it to the playoffs because of the good results they got in their first games. Juventus is not at its best, so any team could win the qualification slot.

[Arenga pinnata]

I have seen Real Madrid do mysterious things in champions league so many time even when they are in good form and when they are not in a good form but currently there is a bit change in that Real Madrid we use to know before and this one now. They may win Benfica but the possibility is the same with the possibility of Benfica also winning them or drawing with them so it is more like a 50/50 game more or less survival of the fittest though I'm not saying Benfica is better than Real Madrid but rather I'm saying Benfica is a team that has defeated Real Madrid more than...

Real Madrid did lose in their previous meeting against Benfica. but I think this time Real Madrid will win. it would be very disappointing if Real Madrid couldn't even make it through the playoff round.

However, out of all the matches in the first round of the playoffs, I am personally very much looking forward to the Galatasaray vs Juventus match. I might favor Galatasaray. although I am not entirely sure myself, I personally prefer the depth of Galatasaray's squad at the moment. Juventus is indeed good, but I can no longer expect much from Juventus this season.

[Jegileman]

I have seen Real Madrid do mysterious things in champions league so many time even when they are in good form and when they are not in a good form but currently there is a bit change in that Real Madrid we use to know before and this one now. They may win Benfica but the possibility is the same with the possibility of Benfica also winning them or drawing with them so it is more like a 50/50 game more or less survival of the fittest though I'm not saying Benfica is better than Real Madrid but rather I'm saying Benfica is a team that has defeated Real Madrid more than...

This could be the last chance for Real Madrid to secure a qualification to the next round of the competition, they have been playing quite impressively well and they nurture the champions league games more than any other competition they play in, but as we all know, football do happen to any team it wants to happen to.

Real Madrid have been on a roller coaster since the beginning of the champions league, I don’t think they’ll bottle this last chance of them making it to the next round of the competition, they’ll most definitely play better in this game and then prevail immediately to the round of 16.

Benfica may have won them before, and there is no guarantee that they’re going to repeat the same thing again after they’ve being matched up in the playoffs. This will be a very tough game to predict by both teams but I still feel that Real Madrid stands a better chance and an edge against Benfica irrespective of the result of their previous clash.

[GbitG]

I have seen Real Madrid do mysterious things in champions league so many time even when they are in good form and when they are not in a good form but currently there is a bit change in that Real Madrid we use to know before and this one now. They may win Benfica but the possibility is the same with the possibility of Benfica also winning them or drawing with them so it is more like a 50/50 game more or less survival of the fittest though I'm not saying Benfica is better than Real Madrid but rather I'm saying Benfica is a team that has defeated Real Madrid more than...

My opinion will be same as previous because current situation of Real Madrid is bit sloppy and they not delivering such awesome performance like which are capable for better results. So that's why I am not sure whether they will win or not like their probility is 50/50. However Real Madrid are also lacking in with a key players like currently their key player are absent due to injury making all these things collectively referred to as a 50/50 probility.....

Besides that Benfica is also a strong team like previously they just smashed the Real Madrid so badly and even this time it can be expected like it maybe or may not. My choice will be Benfica because they previously they were two good due to Jose Mourinho competency. Anyway let's see what happens.

[mv1986]

~

My opinion will be same as previous because current situation of Real Madrid is bit sloppy and they not delivering such awesome performance like which are capable for better results. So that's why I am not sure whether they will win or not like their probility is 50/50. However Real Madrid are also lacking in with a key players like currently their key player are absent due to injury making all these things collectively referred to as a 50/50 probility.....

Besides that Benfica is also a strong team like previously they just smashed the Real Madrid so badly and even this time it can be expected like it maybe or may not. My choice will be Benfica because they previously they were two good due to Jose Mourinho competency. Anyway let's see what happens.

I know my opinion on that has always been controversial, but I argue that Real Madrid should at least not have won two of their Champions League titles in the last ten years. There were a few games that were so incredibly lucky for Real Madrid that I thought they are not the deserved winner. The argument here always was that luck comes their way because they are the best team, but I remember that one season when Manchester City outplayed them all the time pretty much and then Real Madrid got two lucky shots, one got deflected and ended up as a goal. Everyone that was talking about their mental strength and how they believed in themselves, but when a deflected ball luckily ends up in the goal, it doesn't have much to do with mental strength. It is luck.

Now I doubt that Real Madrid will end up being the lucky ones again. I doubt if they were to play against Barcelona or Bayern that Real Madrid would beat them in two games.

[wakier]

I predict Real Madrid performance in the first leg of the playoffs against Benfica won't be as bad as the previous match. I don't doubt Real Madrid's mentality and experience in the Champions League, as they are the club with the most trophies. In the first leg, Real Madrid needs to avoid losing by less than 2 goals to make it easier to mount a comeback in the second leg at home. Therefore, considering Real Madrid's mentality and experience in the Champions League, I'm optimistic that Real Madrid will advance from the playoffs.

I also think so, even though we know Real Madrid has been defeated by Benfica, I think it was an unexpected defeat and probably will not be repeated in this playoff round because it is a very important and decisive round for Real Madrid to advance to the next round. In the first leg, Real Madrid must be able to keep the defense tightly so that Benfica does not easily break through the goal and also must try by playing pressure so that the mentality of the club players is disturbed and finally can't do much, then in the second leg, Real Madrid was able to take revenge by beating Benfica with a landslide score when playing at home.

[l99l]

I have seen Real Madrid do mysterious things in champions league so many time even when they are in good form and when they are not in a good form but currently there is a bit change in that Real Madrid we use to know before and this one now. They may win Benfica but the possibility is the same with the possibility of Benfica also winning them or drawing with them so it is more like a 50/50 game more or less survival of the fittest though I'm not saying Benfica is better than Real Madrid but rather I'm saying Benfica is a team that has defeated Real Madrid more than...

My opinion will be same as previous because current situation of Real Madrid is bit sloppy and they not delivering such awesome performance like which are capable for better results. So that's why I am not sure whether they will win or not like their probility is 50/50. However Real Madrid are also lacking in with a key players like currently their key player are absent due to injury making all these things collectively referred to as a 50/50 probility.....

Besides that Benfica is also a strong team like previously they just smashed the Real Madrid so badly and even this time it can be expected like it maybe or may not. My choice will be Benfica because they previously they were two good due to Jose Mourinho competency. Anyway let's see what happens.

Ultimately, we're talking about Real Madrid, and I think they have more than a 50/50 chance.
Real Madrid are far superior in terms of squad quality and have years of Champions League experience.
Even though Jose Mourinho got a good win, I don't think it will be easy to follow it up. Jose Mourinho is talking again, saying a wounded king is dangerous and all that, but I don't think he'll get what he's hoping for.

[EFS]

The play-off matches are starting. I think Borussia Dortmund are the only home team that will definitely win. I'm not sure about the other 3 games.

PSG are having a shaky run in Ligue 1. Monaco know them very well too, so I can't really see PSG as a big favorite. Benfica beat Real just 3 weeks ago but this match will have a different atmosphere. Since it's a 2-leg knockout, Real will be more careful. Also you never know what Mou is going to do, so it's better to stay away from that match. As for Galatasaray, it wouldn't be a surprise if they beat Juve, but they're still not the favorites. Juve are going through a bad period and that gives Galatasaray a chance. Let's see if they can use that advantage.

[Iamgoat]

The match between Galatasaray and Juventus is going to be interesting,  but I am more interested in the match between Benfica and Real Madrid. The last time Benfica won 4-2, but I think Real Madrid have another chance to do better than the way they did in the last match. I also noticed that Benfica have a good record against Real Madrid at home, but I will like to see how this one turns out, but I believe it's going to be an interesting match to watch.

I really can’t also wait to see Dortmund play against Atalanta as I’ve been anticipated it to happen but not as much as I would also like to see if Benfica can replicate what they were able to do in the last games which everyone is saying it will be difficult to achieve that again considering the fact which says otherwise. The 4 goals Benfica scored the Real Madrid guys unexpectedly and this is the same condition.

[Asiska02]

Ultimately, we're talking about Real Madrid, and I think they have more than a 50/50 chance.
Real Madrid are far superior in terms of squad quality and have years of Champions League experience.
Even though Jose Mourinho got a good win, I don't think it will be easy to follow it up. Jose Mourinho is talking again, saying a wounded king is dangerous and all that, but I don't think he'll get what he's hoping for.

One will just be baffled with the nature of confidence Jose Mourinho has in this match, you’ll assume that Benfica is one superior of a team that can stand Real Madrid and not have the fear of losing as they embark on the match. One thing I like about him in this game is the enthusiasm he has on himself, being able to beat Real Madrid in the last match of the round 1 and stopping them from going into the champions league round 2 is a big achievement for them. One may think it is a planned match up for Real Madrid to revenge, but’s it’s actually not it, although Real Madrid still has to prevail in this match to book a place for the next round of the competition. Benfica should be more prepared than ever before in this match because Real Madrid are super ready for them.

[mv1986]

The play-off matches are starting. I think Borussia Dortmund are the only home team that will definitely win. I'm not sure about the other 3 games.

PSG are having a shaky run in Ligue 1. Monaco know them very well too, so I can't really see PSG as a big favorite. Benfica beat Real just 3 weeks ago but this match will have a different atmosphere. Since it's a 2-leg knockout, Real will be more careful. Also you never know what Mou is going to do, so it's better to stay away from that match. As for Galatasaray, it wouldn't be a surprise if they beat Juve, but they're still not the favorites. Juve are going through a bad period and that gives Galatasaray a chance. Let's see if they can use that advantage.

I as someone who supports the German teams, I don't know, I wouldn't be too sure. Atalanta has not lost a game in Serie A in quite a while and they are quite erratic. You are mostly referring to the home team advantage and that makes sense as it is hard to beat Dortmund in their home stadium, but Atalanta is not to be underestimated. They may not win, but scoring is possible and a draw is definitely possible I think.

Atalanta is not usually a team that has most ball possession, but they still beat Juventus Turin in the Coppa Italia 3-0. They have a few strikers or offensive players who can do great things. That is why I think a Dortmund win is not as obvious. They will need a good game against Atalanta. 

The other games are kind of weird pairings. Mourinho is definitely looking forward to inflict some serious pain on Real Madrid

[GbitG]

The play-off matches are starting. I think Borussia Dortmund are the only home team that will definitely win. I'm not sure about the other 3 games.

PSG are having a shaky run in Ligue 1. Monaco know them very well too, so I can't really see PSG as a big favorite. Benfica beat Real just 3 weeks ago but this match will have a different atmosphere. Since it's a 2-leg knockout, Real will be more careful. Also you never know what Mou is going to do, so it's better to stay away from that match. As for Galatasaray, it wouldn't be a surprise if they beat Juve, but they're still not the favorites. Juve are going through a bad period and that gives Galatasaray a chance. Let's see if they can use that advantage.

Ohhh I just forgot about PSG.....
PSG are just trailing with some bad toes despite initially everyone were arguing that definitely can be tribble or blah blah but unfortunately the recent lose against Rennes make the slightly drop into teg second place. Now tomorrow they will face Monaco in first leg of play-off match. I thinking this match will be quite interesting because both rival crossword their ability to get the victory.....

Apart from this the match of Real Madrid and Benfica will definitely be a competitive tussle but I not too obvious wether it can be easier victory for Real Madrid or not. Arbeloa has not too good like he didn't have much more experience to play in big competition like in the UEFA Champions League. Anyway still we are just hoping for a better results.

[Donneski]

Madrid are indeed wounded lions and so they will be coming into this game to unleash the venom that they have. Madrid are the favorite coming into this game, Madrid has to win this game and prove all those doubting them wrong. Madrid is under pressure to deliver so they should approach this game with calm because, I know what Mourinho can bring  to the table in terms of tactics rushing Benfica to score  them will not be a good idea.


Mourinho is a veteran when it comes to coaching and he has what it takes to play Madrid, Benfica has to hold their defense defense very well because Madrid will be coming out with full force to attack. A good r result from this game will lift the hopes of Benfica going into the second leg. Benfica has done it before against Madrid so who says that they can do it again the second time.

Jose Mourinho has managed Real Madrid before and won trophies with them. He understands the the philosophy of the club very well so I wasn't surprised when he said Real Madrid is a wounded king that's definitely gonna approach that game like a wounded lion. His statements after the last group game against Real Madrid which Benfica won was enough to trigger Real Madrid players to play at their best. Trent Alexander-Arnorld is fully back and Kylian Mbappe will most likely start in that game. I'm expecting nothing short of a Real Madrid victory in both legs of the tie.

[SquallLeonhart]

What shows on paper is actually something that has a practical evidence that has been recorded, so obviously people must have seen his performance before now which has now reflected on paper as him not been capable enough, but if you are saying they should still give him a trial regardless, that can be more considerable but asides the points are that he is not as capable by supposed views.

Surely Arbeloa has done "alright" so far, they have done great under him and they got the results, not like they have been losing. But at the same time, it is normal that people would doubt him because he has no managing experience in any good proper team before, he just did so at lower levels of Real Madrid and then came straight to main team and now doing that.

Don't get me wrong plenty of teams had that kind of "let's call up our youth team manager for now" and then did alright, hell in theory even Zidane was like that and he won them three titles, which is why I understand why he could be good but I also at the same time understand why people had some doubts about him and could have the same doubts until he wins something.

[Furious 7]

Club Brugge's performance in the last 2 Champions League matches is improving but Atletico is not an easy club for now although they are a little out of control because they can lose or even win with a fairly surprising score.

I find that Atletico Madrid has improved a lot comparing to the previous months and Club Brugge has to try to get at least a draw in their home. If they lose points home then definitely their second leg will be worse.

The problem for Atletico at the moment is their consistency which is sometimes very bad to see and in comparison we see their last match when they managed to bulldoze Betis in the Copa del Rey quarter-finals with a big score but afterwards in La Liga they lost to the same club, after that they also managed to destroy Barcelona in the first leg of the Copa del Rey with a score of 4 goals but afterwards in La Liga they were destroyed from Rayo with a score of 3-0. This shows that although their quality is good, their consistency is poor which makes the situation unbalanced.
Facing Club Brugge even though they are favorites, they should be able to improve their performance first before they are truly said to be favorites in this match.

There are some interesting matches for the play offs this time such as PSG who will face their league club Monaco, Juventus against Galatasaray, Atalanta who still have performance problems against Dortmund and of course Benfica who will return against Madrid are quite a treat at the moment and to be honest even though some big clubs like PSG or Madrid are favorites but there is still no certainty even though their chances are currently greater.

Paris Saint-Germain is unstable right now and I am afraid Monaco could be make them lose points unless PSG players try to improve in Champions League comparing to Ligue 1.
For the other teams, Real Madrid and Juventus are favourite in my opinion. Same for Borussia Dortmund but I am less confident.

PSG are in a bad situation but looking at how they were last season from the play off phase to the championship their chances are still great for now.
Madrid I expect a lot from them because although there are a lot of participants in the Champions League but we know Madrid is always an attraction especially with their current trophy acquisition in the Champions League competition so it would be very bad if they were destroyed in this round.