Totally Extra: Champions League draw reaction!

Summary of Totally Extra: Champions League draw reaction!

by The Athletic

55m•January 30, 2026
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Overview of Totally Extra: Champions League draw reaction!

This episode of The Totally Football Show (The Athletic) reacts live to the UEFA Champions League playoff draw. The hosts (James Horncastle, Tom Williams, Seb Stafford-Bloor, Paul Belouz) break down all eight playoff ties, the likely paths into the last 16, narratives emerging from the group phase, squad/form questions, and the wider implications for clubs (sporting and financial). The show mixes tactical/club analysis with colorful anecdotes and punditry-led predictions.

Key takeaways

  • The playoff ties pair teams finishing 9th–24th in the new Champions League format; winners advance to the last 16.
  • Biggest headline tie: Benfica vs Real Madrid — notable because Benfica knocked Madrid out of automatic qualification with a dramatic 98th-minute goalkeeper header (Trubin).
  • Jose Mourinho returns to the Bernabéu as Benfica boss for the first time since 2013 if the tie goes that way — a potent narrative angle.
  • Other high-profile playoffs: Monaco vs PSG (all-French), Bodo/Glimt vs Inter, Qarabag vs Newcastle, Galatasaray vs Juventus, Club Brugge vs Atlético, Dortmund vs Atalanta, Olympiacos vs Bayer Leverkusen.
  • Panel favorites for the trophy included Bayern (most common pick), Arsenal, and PSG as longshots; there was healthy debate about Manchester City’s consistency this season.
  • Marseille’s elimination from the league phase triggered discussion of internal chaos and significant financial consequences.

Playoff fixtures — matchups and immediate implications

(Playoff winners will face the listed potential last-16 opponents.)

  • Benfica vs Real Madrid

    • Winner could face Man City or Sporting in last 16.
    • Narrative: Benfica’s late winner and Mourinho/Real subplot.

  • Bodo/Glimt vs Inter

    • Winner could face Man City or Sporting in last 16 (opposite side to Benfica/Real).
    • Key question: Inter’s ability to cope in Arctic/long‑haul environments; Bodo’s European experience and momentum.

  • Monaco vs Paris Saint‑Germain (PSG)

    • Winner could face Barcelona or Chelsea.
    • PSG under pressure for form despite last season’s success; Monaco beat PSG earlier this season.

  • Qarabag vs Newcastle

    • Qarabag are the first Azerbaijani side to reach this stage; long travel for Newcastle to Baku.
    • Winner could face Chelsea or Barcelona.

  • Galatasaray vs Juventus

    • Winner could face Spurs or Liverpool.
    • Spotlights: Victor Osimhen at Galatasaray (on loan), Juventus’ need for attacking consistency.

  • Club Brugge vs Atlético Madrid

    • Winner could face Spurs or Liverpool.
    • Atletico are favorites but have squad/form questions and transfer-window targets.

  • Borussia Dortmund vs Atalanta

    • Winner could face Arsenal or Bayern Munich.
    • Dortmund’s recent dip (defensive lapses, form of key attackers) vs Atalanta’s attacking expectations under Palladino.

  • Olympiacos vs Bayer Leverkusen

    • Winner could face Arsenal or Bayern Munich (depending on the other results).
    • Leverkusen’s defensive frailties vs Olympiacos’ resilience.

Team-by-team notes (high-level)

Benfica

  • Climactic qualifying moment: 98th-minute goalkeeper goal that changed Madrid’s path.
  • Seen as strong and deserving by some pundits; Real are wary.

Real Madrid

  • Internally tense after dropping into playoffs; Arbeloa’s interim role under scrutiny.
  • A win over Benfica would create high-profile narrative consequences (Mourinho/Florentino dynamics).

Bodo/Glimt

  • European specialists for a small club: good recent record, strong club culture, capable of shock results.
  • Financial boost from CL participation is meaningful for the club.

Inter Milan

  • Stronger squad on paper; question is handling Bodo’s unique conditions (plastic pitch/long travel).
  • Inter’s Champions League form mixed vs elite teams.

PSG

  • Holders but inconsistent this season; key attackers out of form at times.
  • Pressure to reproduce last season’s form; goalkeeper situation and injuries discussed.

Monaco

  • Poor domestic run but have previously beaten PSG; can be tricky in knockout ties.

Qarabag

  • Historic Azerbaijani qualification; struggle historically in away ties vs English sides.
  • Long travel is a logistical factor for Newcastle.

Newcastle

  • Favored to progress but have a brutal mid-window fixture schedule if drawn to travel to Baku.

Galatasaray

  • Big-name forward (Osimhen) a factor; memorable 2013 Juve tie anecdote (snow/tractors).
  • Istanbul atmosphere will be significant.

Juventus

  • Need more attacking consistency; will be tested by Galatasaray’s front line.

Club Brugge

  • Capable of troubling big teams (scored 3 v Barcelona earlier); not to be underestimated.

Atlético Madrid

  • Favored but dealing with transfers, form issues and goalscoring dips.

Dortmund

  • Recent poor results, defensive instability, and loss of attacking presence (Reus/K. Adeyemi form issues).

Atalanta

  • Strong attacking identity under Palladino; close/competitive matchup with Dortmund.

Leverkusen

  • Talented attack but defensive weaknesses and transition pains have been exposed in Europe.

Olympiacos

  • Dangerous home environment and capable of causing upsets (beat Leverkusen recently).

Reactions, narratives and extras to watch

  • Mourinho vs Real subplot — emotional & media-driven; Mourinho’s competitive redemption narrative.
  • Benfica’s late goal and the psychological impact on Real Madrid fans/club.
  • PSG’s season-long question: can they recapture last season’s peak? Injuries and form to monitor.
  • Marseille fallout: poor performance in deciding fixture versus a policy/management headache for De Zerbi and heavy financial consequences.
  • Domestic managerial/transfer windows will shape outcomes — several clubs (Atlético, Marseille, Juventus, etc.) are actively linked to signings.

Important dates and next steps

  • Playoff first legs: 17–18 February.
  • Playoff second legs (return legs): 24–25 February.
  • Draw for the rest of the bracket/last-16 pairings: scheduled after the playoffs (discussed as 27 February in the episode).
  • Keep an eye on Europa League playoff draw, which occurred simultaneously.

Panel predictions & consensus

  • Most pundits highlighted Bayern as a top favorite; Arsenal and PSG also frequently mentioned.
  • Manchester City’s current inconsistency made several pundits cautious about naming them favorites despite Pep’s pedigree.
  • Dark horses flagged: Chelsea (nostalgic link to 2011–12 run), Tottenham (in-form European campaign), and some German sides if they shore up defensive issues.

Notable quotes & colorful moments

  • “The one we all wanted” — Benfica vs Real described as the tie many fans/pundits wanted to see.
  • Benfica’s goalkeeper Anatolii Trubin scored in the 98th minute to seal their group qualification — a rare and headline-making event.
  • Anecdote: 2013 Galatasaray vs Juventus game reportedly involved tractors clearing snow from just one end of the pitch (a classic European-champions-oddity story).
  • Qarabag: the first Azerbaijani side to reach this stage — historic context and long travel implications.

Action items (for viewers/readers)

  • Mark the playoff dates in your calendar (17–18 Feb and 24–25 Feb) and schedule the last-16 draw date.
  • Watch the Benfica–Real tie for the high-stakes Mourinho/Bernabéu storyline.
  • Monitor transfer-window activity — Atlético, Juventus, and Marseille are clubs to watch for late changes that could affect tie outcomes.
  • Follow The Totally Football Show/The Athletic for follow-up coverage (playoff result reaction and last-16 draw analysis).

Credits: The episode features James Horncastle, Tom Williams, Seb Stafford-Bloor, Paul Belouz and producer team — part of The Athletic FC network.