Champions League shakeup leaves Real Madrid and Atlético in playoff round

A brutal outcome for Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid on the final matchday of the league stage of the Champions League. Both clubs from the Spanish capital will have to go through the playoff round after defeats to Benfica and Bodø/Glimt, missing out on direct qualification to the round of 16. It is a major blow for both sides, who had qualification in their own hands. A draw would have been enough for Madrid, while Atlético would have been very close with a win.

Real Madrid will be drawn against either Norway’s Bodø/Glimt or Benfica once again, with the second leg at the Bernabéu. Atlético, meanwhile, will face Galatasaray or Club Brugge, with the decisive leg also at home, at the Metropolitano. The draw will be held on Friday at 12:00 noon local time in Nyon (6 a.m. ET).

Barcelona enjoyed better fortune, finishing fifth and securing a place among the top eight. As a result, Barça will play the second leg of their knockout ties at home, unless they face one of the top four teams in the semifinals. They also avoid Chelsea until the final after finishing sixth and being paired accordingly.

Two Spanish teams eliminated

Athletic Club were knocked out of the competition after losing to Sporting, while Villarreal were already eliminated heading into the final matchday.

The league phase standings were topped by Arsenal, who finished with a perfect record. Manchester City ended second after winning in Eindhoven. The two sides will avoid each other until the final and will play all knockout rounds at home in the second leg until then.

Also completing the top eight are Liverpool, Tottenham, Barcelona, Chelsea, Sporting CP and City. In total, five English clubs qualified directly for the round of 16, with only Newcastle in the play-off

The teams finishing between ninth and 24th and therefore heading into the playoff round are Real Madrid, Inter, PSG, Newcastle, Juventus, Atlético Madrid, Atalanta, Bayer Leverkusen, Borussia Dortmund, Olympiacos, Club Brugge, Galatasaray, Monaco, Qarabag, Bodø/Glimt and Benfica.

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