Champions League: the return matches of the playoffs on TV. The challenges of Milan, Juve and Atalanta

Rome, 17 February 2025 – The ranking says that the Spain he passed it Italy and for now Serie A does not have the fifth team in the Champions League. But there is the return of the playoffs where the three Italian teams can take the qualification to the round of 16, fundamental to still be able to play for the second place in the ranking with the Liga that benefited from the victories of Real Madrid, Betis and Real Sociedad last week. In short, perfection is needed between Tuesday and Wednesday where Juventus, Milan and Atalanta they are called not to fail against PSV, Feyenoord and Club Brugge. It almost seems like an Italy-Benelux challenge. We start from different situations, because Juve is the only one to have won the first leg (2-1), while Atalanta is furious about the penalty awarded in the ninetieth minute and Milan played a bad match in Rotterdam. There are many issues, but the obligation is the result and no more teams can be lost on the road after the Bologna, eliminated in the single round robin stage.

In the other play-off matches, maximum attention will be paid to Madrid where the City will try to overturn the dramatic 2-3 of the first leg. Let's look in detail at the matches and the qualification criteria, remembering that the away double goal rule has been abolished and in the event of a draw, extra time and penalties are foreseen.  

Milan - Feyenoord

Paixao's goal in the first leg in Rotterdam, with the complicity of Maignan, forces the Milan with only one result: victory. Away goals rule removed, the Rossoneri will have to try to win by two goals at San Siro. The requirements are simple: Feyenoord have two results out of three available (victory and draw), while Milan, winning by one goal, would go to extra time, and with two they would qualify.

Atalanta - Brugge

The same situation also applies to Atalanta Gasperini who was defeated in Bruges by two to one. The unexpected penalty awarded at the end for an alleged foul by Hien on Nilsson, when he was in front and protecting the ball, rightly caused scandal, but now all the clarity of mind is needed to try to overturn the result at the Gewiss Stadium. The requirements for the Goddess impose a victory in an obligatory manner: with a one-goal difference they will go to extra time, with a two-goal difference they will qualify. Any other result would reward the Belgians.

Psv-Juventus

The situation was reversed for the Bianconeri who won the first leg by two to one at the Stadium thanks to a goal from Mbangula in the final after that Perisic had found the equaliser, freezing the Juventus crowd. Motta's team, which seems to have found its clearer identity, can exploit the enthusiasm for the victory over Inter to defend the result of the first leg against the reigning Dutch champions. PSV is an offensive team, which however concedes a lot in defence and, having to attack, could expose itself even more, making the job of the Bianconeri easier. Juve can win and draw to advance to the next round, but cannot suffer a defeat by two goals. Extra time would start with a PSV victory by one goal.

Real Madrid v Manchester City

It is one of the most anticipated matches in Europe, perhaps the most anticipated. The Real sensationally overturned the first leg, with two errors by Ederson and a 2-3 that was very useful to climb to second place in the ranking. But as we know, without the away goals rule, City can still try at the Bernabeu. Guardiola will certainly not give up so easily and the double challenge cannot be considered over. The English need to win in Spain to have any hope. A one-goal win would mean extra time, but to advance directly to the next round they would need a two-goal win. Haaland with Mbappé starts two.

Psg - Brest

There are no particular doubts in the French challenge between psg e Brest. The Parisians clearly won the first leg by 0-3 (Vitinha and a Dembele double), which means that access to the eighth-finals is safe. In fact, Brest would need to win by three goals in Paris to go to extra time and by four to advance to the next round. Practically impossible.

Borussia Dortmund-Sporting Lisbon

Even the Germans of Borussia Dortmund have put the eighth finals on ice. Absolute domination in Lisbon with the 0-3 signed by Guirassy, ​​Gross and Adeyemi which has effectively mortgaged the passage of the round. For Sporting the speech is the same as Brest: win by three goals of difference in extra time, win by four goals of difference to advance to the round.

Bayern Munich vs Celtic

Also close to the eighth finals Bayern Monaco, who found a precious away victory in the first leg in Glasgow against Celtic. Goals from Olise and Kane, only partially contained in the final minutes by Maeda's goal, give the Bavarians an interesting advantage for the return match in Germany. Bayern can win and draw, but they cannot afford to lose by two goals. If Celtic win by a narrow margin, however, it would go to extra time.

Benfica-Monaco

Finally, the challenge between the Portuguese and the Monegasques. Benfica took an advantage in the first leg, conquering the Principality by 0-1 thanks to pavlidis and the 52nd minute expulsion of Al Musrati. Very simple calculations. Benfica has two out of three results at their disposal, while Monaco must win by two goals to advance. A one-goal victory would send the teams into extra time.

Calendar and TV

All matches will be visible on Sky channels, which will also provide Diretta Gol, and in streaming on Sky Go and Now Tv, except Psv-Juve which will be exclusive to Amazon Prime. As for free-to-air TV, TV 8 will broadcast Real-City on Wednesday.

Tuesday February 18

Milan-Feyenoord 18.45pm: Sky Sport 1, 201, Sky Sport 253.

Atalanta-Club Bruges: 21.00pm Sky Sport 1, 201, Sky Sport 252.

Bayern Munich-Celtic: 21.00pm Sky Sport Calcio, 202, Sky Sport 254.

Benfica-Monaco: 21.00pm Sky Sport 255.

Wednesday February 19

Borussia Dortmund-Sporting Lisbon: 18.45pm Sky Sport 1, 201, Sky Sport 254.

Paris-Brest: 21.00pm Sky Sport 253.

Psv-Juventus: 21.00pm Amazon Prime Exclusive

Real Madrid-Manchester City: 21.00pm Sky Sport 1, 201, Sky Sport Calcio, 202, Sky Sport 252. TV 8