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Can Serie A's Champions League trio take a knockout blow to the play-offs?
The Champions League moves into its next round tonight as the competition leaves the league phase behind and returns to its knockout roots.
Sixteen teams are competing in the play-offs, all vying for a place in the Round of 16, as they head into a two-legged knockout tie.
Among the names from across Europe are three sides from Italy - more than any other country - but how will Inter, Juventus and Atalanta fare as Serie A looks for a first Champions League winner since 2010?
Inter's mission to make up for humiliation
They may not admit it in Milan, but last year's 5-0 thrashing from PSG in the Champions League final still cuts deep, and they are desperate to make up for the humiliation and make a third Champions League final in four years.
All was going to plan in the first half of the group stage, too, with Inter keeping up with Arsenal and Bayern Munich at the top of the league phase table.
However, despite dominating domestically where they now look odds-on to win back the Scudetto, their Champions League campaign faltered, losing three games on the bounce that ultimately cost them a place in the top eight.
Now, they must navigate the difficult task of travelling to freezing Norway and try not to be the latest victim of an ever-improving Bode/Glimt. The Champions League first-timers are this season's surprise package and have already notched huge wins over Manchester City and Atletico Madrid in the league phase, so they come into the competition brimming with confidence.
Yet, with a two-legged format, Inter must make the obvious difference in quality count. Lautaro Martinez will once again be the one to watch, as the Serie A top scorer looks to lead his team into the last sixteen and will want to avoid any further embarrassment in a competition. Cristian Chivu's team are more than capable of winning.
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Juve face toughest trip
Juve are probably glad to still be in the Champions League, after not winning a game in the competition until Matchday 5 and could very well have joined Napoli in exiting Europe altogether.
However, wins against Bode/Glimt, Pafos and Benfica were enough to see the Old Lady through, who, since the start of the season, have become a much more dangerous side since the arrival of Luciano Spalletti.
The former Italy boss has got Juventus motoring again in the league and they are in the top four mix, but to get to the Round of 16 face arguably the round's most daunting away day as they travel to Turkey to face Galatasaray.
No doubt it will be a feverish atmosphere for the Italian side and will face a Gala side who boast Victor Osimhen and Leroy Sane, both of whom have shone in the Champions League so far.
Their passage through will much depend on the result in Turkey, because Juve should be confident of finishing the job back in Turin, but on paper, they look the most vulnerable of all the first-leg ties.
@juventusfc
Atalanta enjoying the ride
For most of the league phase, Atalanta flew the flag for Serie A and looked like making the top eight, ruling out the need for a play-off clash.
After a PSG humbling on Matchday 1, they went unbeaten in the next six, in what was a stark contrast to their patchy domestic form. However, back-to-back defeats in the final two games saw them slip into the play-offs and now have to contend with Borussia Dortmund to make their way into the Round of 16.
It's probably the most evenly matched fixture across the play-off round, with Dortmund second in the Bundesliga and Atalanta pushing for a European place in Serie A, which makes it difficult to call.
Raffaele Palladino's side does have the advantage of playing the second leg in Italy, so the onus falls on not letting the tie get away from them in the first leg this week.
Get a positive result in Germany, and then they'll be favourites to progress and continue to stamp their name on this season's competition.
(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)
