Soccer
Heat on holders PSG and Mourinho plotting against his old club - Tuesday's Champions League play-off talking points
Watch the Champions League on DAZN - US, CA & NZ
Tonight sees the first round of Champions League play-off games as 16 teams chase a place in the last 16 of the competition.
There is huge intrigue as holders Paris Saint-Germain face domestic French rivals Monaco with former winners Juventus, Benfica, Real Madrid, Juventus and Borussia Dortmund also in action this evening.
Here, DAZN News assesses the key storylines from each game as every team bids to gain a first-leg advantage.
Mourinho out to mastermind another famous win
Three weeks ago, Benfica beat Real Madrid 4-2 in the final round of the league phase to qualify for the play-offs by the narrowest of margins.
It needed a dramatic 98th-minute headed goal by Benfica goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin to send Jose Mourinho’s men into 24th place on goals difference.
The result also denied Madrid a place in the top eight, so they will now meet again for a place in the last 16.
Mourinho, of course, spent three stormy seasons in the Spanish capital between 2010 and 2013 and would doubtless love to get one over them.
Their hopes could rest largely on getting a positive result in Lisbon tonight before the second leg in Madrid next Wednesday.
Getty Images
Turmoil in PSG camp ahead of Monaco clash
Paris Saint-Germain were crowned Champions League winners for the first time last season after hammering Inter Milan 5-0 in a ludicrously one-sided final in Munich.
But their title defence has not been plain sailing and, having finished 11th in the league phase, Luis Enrique’s men face a difficult task against rivals Monaco.
They go into the first leg under a cloud too, having lost 3-1 t Rennes last Friday to lose top spot in Ligue 1.
To make matters worse, star man Ousmane Dembele questioned the desire of his teammates publicly afterwards, earning a stern rebuke from his manager.
Enrique said: “Players' statements at the end of the match have no value. None.
“Coaches' statements neither, but players' statements, none.
“I am not going to answer any questions from a player, nor respond to any statements from a player.”
Getty Images
Close encounter expected in Dortmund
Borussia Dortmund finished 17th in the league phase and now host an Atalanta side who ended up two places above them.
It is a difficult tie to call, but Dortmund will hope to capitalise on their huge support in tonight’s first leg on home soil before next week’s return leg in Italy.
Dortmund have an undeniable pedigree in the Champions League, having won it once and been runners-up twice.
The Bundesliga giants will be slight favourites to progress, although write off Atalanta at your peril.
The Old Lady favourites to get past Turkish giants
Juventus will fancy their chances of seeing off Galatasaray over two legs and securing a safe passage into the last 16 of the Champions League.
Juve, two-time European champions and seven-time runners-up, finished seven places above their Turkish opponents in the league phase.
Although off the title pace in Serie A – they lie fifth – the Italian giants should have enough quality to beat Galatasaray over two legs heading into tonight's first leg in Istanbul.
It would be a major surprise if they did not.
(C)Getty images
Full Champions League fixture list for knockout play-offs
Tuesday, 17 February
- Galatasaray vs. Juventus
- Benfica vs. Real Madrid
- Borussia Dortmund vs. Atalanta
- Monaco vs. Paris Saint-Germain
Wednesday, 18 February
- Qarabag vs. Newcastle United
- Bodo/Glimt vs. Inter Milan
- Club Brugge vs. Atletico Madrid
- Olympiakos vs. Bayer Leverkusen
How to watch in the USA on DAZN
Soccer fans in the US can watch the Champions League in Spanish language as part of their DAZN subscription package.
An annual upfront payment is $224.99 , while paying monthly for 12 months is $19.99 and also provides access to 185 fight nights a year across boxing, MMA, PFL, BKFC, Glory and much more.
CBS has coverage of every Champions League match in English language this season. You can get more details and subscribe to CBS's Champions League coverage here.
Fans can watch extra Champions League games in Spanish on ViX. A selection of those matches are also available on UNIMÁS and TUDN.
How to watch the Champions League in New Zealand on DAZN
Every Champions League game during the 2025-26 season is streamed in high definition and comes as part of a DAZN subscription.
An annual subscription costs $14.99 per month for 12 months and also provides access to 185 fight nights a year across boxing, MMA, PFL, BKFC, Glory and much more.
How to watch the Champions League in Canada on DAZN
Watch every game of the Champions League this season in Canada with a DAZN subscription.
There are three subscription options, each offering a different selection of sports. Access to every Champions League match is included in all three package offerings, ranging from $29.99 to $44.99 per month (for 12 months)
