When could Real Madrid meet Barcelona and Atletico in the Champions League?

It is now clear what path the Madrid clubs will have to take if they want to be in the Champions League final in Budapest on May 30, following the playoff draw. The team coached by Arbeloa will face Mourinho’s Benfica in the round of 16, while Diego Simeone’s side will have to eliminate Club Brugge if they want to reach the quarterfinals.

Madrid looking to potential Spanish clashes

Not only have the round-of-16 matchups been confirmed. Although another draw will take place on February 27 to determine which side of the bracket the eight teams already qualified for the round of 16 – including Barcelona – will occupy, the 16 clubs contesting this preliminary round already know their route all the way to the final.

Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid have been placed on opposite sides of the bracket, meaning there will be no Madrid derby unless both reach a hypothetical final. On Real Madrid’s side of the draw, Paris Saint-Germain loom as the main threat before the semifinals. Luis Enrique’s team could meet the Spanish club in a potential semifinal. Also on that side of the bracket are Monaco, Galatasaray, Juventus, Borussia Dortmund, Atalanta and Benfica.

When could a UCL Clásico happen?

The other half of the bracket, where Atlético Madrid are positioned, includes Qarabag, Newcastle, Club Brugge, Bodø/Glimt, Inter Milan, Olympiacos and Bayer Leverkusen. These teams will not face clubs from the opposite side of the draw unless they reach a hypothetical final.

Once the round-of-16 ties have been played, there will be a draw on February 27 to determine which side of the bracket the eight already qualified teams will take. If both Madrid clubs advance, that draw could set up a potential Clásico in the semifinals or a Barcelona–Atlético showdown in the quarterfinals.

Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all.

Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.