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Five stars set to light up the Champions League play-offs
The Champions League gets even more serious this week, what with the end of the league phase and a return to the competition's more traditional knockout roots.
First, it's the turn of the sixteen teams who failed to make the league's top eight and get one more chance to make it through to the Round of 16 next month.
There are eight huge play-off ties across Tuesday and Wednesday, but which names will define this week's action and star in the knockout games?
Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid)
Who else, really? The Champions League has been Mbappe's playground this season, where the Frenchman has already netted 13 goals, breaking Cristiano Ronaldo's record of most goals in an opening phase of the competition - and he's not stopping there.
Having been passed fit for the return to Benfica, the striker, who's already scored 38 times across all competitions this season, will be determined not to let history repeat itself and the Portuguese scupper Real's European ambitions.
Mbappe has already scored twice against Jose Mourinho's men in their dramatic final league phase game, and you can bet that the 27-year-old will be the difference maker once again in the two-legged affair.
Anthony Gordon (Newcastle United)
Newcastle United have saved their best performances for the Champions League this season and at the heart of it has been Gordon flying in the Magpies' attack.
The forward broke a 23-year-old club record by usurping Toon legend Alan Shearer in Champions League goal contributions, which included six goals in the league phase.
His rapid pace down the flank has caused problems for teams all over Europe already this season and it's a supply line that Qarabag will need to marshal or risk being the latest Anthony Gordon victims.
Ousmane Dembele (PSG)
The naysayers pointing fingers at PSG's failure to make the top eight, take note, they also went through the play-offs last season and look how that competition finished? At the forefront of that Champions League win was Dembele, whose performances were so good in 2025 that he bagged the Ballon d'Or.
This season, his displays have been hindered by injury, but he's coming back into form just at the right time for the reigning champs, which spells bad news for fellow French side Monaco.
They could feel the full force of an up-to-speed Demeble, who's ready to lead the Parisians' charge to retain their Champions League crown.
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Lautaro Martinez (Inter)
Inter's captain, Inter's talisman and Serie A's outstanding underappreciated leading goal-scorer, Martinez, is everything a difference maker should be.
El Toro is once again the cream of the crop in Italy's top flight and has also been on target in the Champions League, too. For all the Nerazzurri's dominance domestically this season, they've faltered in Europe, but will now have an eye on reaching a third final in four seasons.
And, if there's one man to drag them there, it's their ace marksman extraordinaire.
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Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray)
If you're looking for an 'upset' this week, then it could come in Turkey, as Juventus face the play-offs toughest away day and come face-to-face with a striker familiar with sticking it to Italian sides.
Osimhen has already netted six times in the Champions League this season and with a supply line that includes Leroy Sane and Ilkay Gundogan, he's not short of ammo as it looks to down the Old Lady.
Juve have been much improved under Luciano Spalletti, but are still prone to a footballing brain freeze at times, especially if they are faced with one of Europe's deadliest forwards.
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)
