UCL play-offs: Potential Juventus, Inter and Atalanta opponents revealed
The Champions League league phase is now complete, and Juventus, Inter and Atalanta now know their two potential opponents for February’s knock-out play-offs.
Three Italian sides finished in the play-off positions, while Napoli were eliminated from the competition after a 3-2 defeat at home against Chelesa on Wednesday night.
Inter picked up a 2-0 win away against Borussia Dortmund, which sealed a 10th-place finish in the Champions League table. Cristian Chivu’s Nerazzurri again finished as the highest ranked Italian side in the competition.
DORTMUND, GERMANY – JANUARY 28: Fabio Silva of Borussia Dortmund heads the ball wide during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD8 match between Borussia Dortmund and FC Internazionale Milano at BVB Stadion Dortmund on January 28, 2026 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)
Two points below Inter were Juventus, who drew 0-0 away against AS Monaco on Wednesday night. That result sealed a 13th-place finish for Luciano Spalletti’s side.
Finally, Atalanta were beaten 1-0 away against Union Saint-Gilloise, which means that they have finished the league phase in 15th place.
Who will Inter face in Champions League play-off rounds?
DORTMUND, GERMANY – JANUARY 28: Cristian Chivu, Head Coach of FC Internazionale Milano, reacts during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD8 match between Borussia Dortmund and FC Internazionale Milano at BVB Stadion Dortmund on January 28, 2026 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)
Inter will be one of the seeded teams in Friday’s play-off draw. They, along with Real Madrid, who finished in ninth, will face one of the teams ranked in either 23rd or 24th. That means either Jose Mourinho’s Benfica (24th) or Bodo/Glimt (23rd) for the Nerazzurri.
Who will Juventus face in Champions League play-off rounds?
TURIN, ITALY – JANUARY 12: Juventus FC head coach Luciano Spalletti looks on during the Serie A match between Juventus FC and US Cremonese at Allianz Stadium on January 12, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)
Juventus will also be among the seeded teams in Friday’s draw. They finished 13th, which means that they and Atletico Madrid (14th) will be drawn against either Club Brugge (19th) or Galatasaray (20th).
Who will Atalanta face in Champions League play-off rounds?
BERGAMO, ITALY – JANUARY 25: Raffaele Palladino, Head Coach of Atalanta, looks on prior to the Serie A match between Atalanta BC and Parma Calcio 1913 at Gewiss Stadium on January 25, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Atalanta will also be seeded in Friday’s draw. They finished in 15th place, which means that along with Bayer Leverkusen (16th), they will go on to face either Borussia Dortmund (17th) or Olympiacos (18th) in the play-off round.
