jasdooit

Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), the team where 25-year-old South Korean international midfielder Lee Kang-in plays, will face AS Monaco, a well-known club in the same league, in the race for a place in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16.

On the 30th, according to Korean time, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) had their UEFA Champions League Round of 16 playoff (PO) draw conducted in Nyon, Switzerland, which set them against Monaco. In the Champions League, 36 teams take part in the group stage, with each squad playing eight games. Based on points, the top eight teams qualify directly for the Round of 16, while teams ranked from ninth to 24th enter playoffs, with the victors advancing to the Round of 16. PSG, the reigning champion who secured their first-ever Champions League title last season, finished 11th in the group stage this season and will need to go through the Round of 16 playoffs.

One of the most significant encounters in this Round of 16 playoff is the confrontation between Portuguese giant Benfica, managed by ‘Special One’ José Mourinho, and Real Madrid, frequently considered the world’s top team. The two teams met on the 29th during the final game of the league stage, the 8th round, where Mourinho achieved a 4-2 triumph over his former club, Real Madrid. In that match, Benfica had to overcome Real Madrid by two goals to progress to the playoffs based on goal difference. Leading 3-2 in stoppage time, goalkeeper Atanoli Trubin made a remarkable header to clinch a 4-2 victory, sending Benfica into the Champions League Round of 16.

On the other hand, Real Madrid’s defeat moved them to 9th position in the league stage, requiring them to participate in the Round of 16 qualifiers. The two sides will now meet once more in the qualifiers to battle for a place in the Round of 16.

**2025-2026 UEFA Champions League Last 16 Play-off Draw**

Galatasaray – Juventus

AS Monaco vs Paris Saint-Germain

Borussia Dortmund – Atalanta

Benfica – Real Madrid

Karabakh (Azerbaijan) – Newcastle United

Club Brugge – Atlético Madrid

Bodø/Glimt (Norway) – Inter Milan

Olympiacos – Bayer Leverkusen