The Athletic has live coverage of today’s Champions League knockout play-off draw. AdvertisementWednesday’s 4-2 Champions League defeat was damaging and left signs of despair and disunity everywhere you looked after the final whistle. Real Madrid find out their Champions League play-off opponents on Friday (Patricia de Melo Moreira/ AFP via Getty Images)All around, nerves were shot after a dizzying game of football. In his debut game, Madrid were knocked out of the Copa del Rey in an embarrassing reverse at Albacete, opponents battling relegation to Spain’s third tier. Real Madrid may have to return to Benfica in the Champions League play-offs (Patricia de Melo Moreira/AFP via Getty Images)“I just said it, I don’t know if you heard me,” he said.

Source: Sky sports January 30, 2026 17:35 UTC