Real Madrid handed Benfica rematch in Champions League playoffs
Real Madrid will face Benfica again in next month’s Champions League knockout playoffs after losing to the Portuguese side in their final league phase game. The draw, held in Nyon, paired teams ranked ninth to 24th in the league phase in two legged ties to be played between February 17 and 25. Winners will join the top eight teams already through to the round of 16. Benfica goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin scored in the 98th minute to seal a 4-2 win over Madrid on Wednesday, a result that left the Spanish giants ninth in the table, one point behind eighth placed Manchester City. Defending champions Paris Saint Germain, who finished 11th after failing to win any of their last three league phase matches, have been drawn against Ligue 1 rivals Monaco, who ended the phase in 21st place. Newcastle United will […]
