Matchday 9 of the UEFA Champions League marks the start of the knockout phase play-offs and promises plenty of drama for fantasy managers.
Most squads are made up of players from teams that have already qualified for the Round of 16, which makes this matchday a great opportunity to explore differentials and find players who could have a big impact.
In the knockout phase play-offs, fantasy managers can pick four players per club, an increase from the three allowed during the league phase.
Matchdays are played across Tuesday and Wednesday, giving managers the chance to make substitutions and change their captain between games.
The only exception is Matchday 17, the Champions League final, which takes place on a Saturday.
Teams lock as soon as the first match kicks off.
Any changes must be saved before the deadline for them to take effect. If changes are made after a match has started, they will not apply for that matchday.
You can find the full list of UCL Fantasy rules on the UEFA Champions League website or app.
UCL Matchday 9 Team
I’m heading into Matchday 9 with a team ready to make the most of the knockout phase. In goal, I’ve gone with Marco Carnesecchi, who’s been busy for Atalanta and can pick up points through saves even without a clean sheet.
With just 5% ownership, he stands out as a strong differential, and his 34 points so far this season show his reliability at a (£4.8) price point.
My defence combines reliability with attacking threat.
Malick Thiaw gives solid cover at centre-back for Newcastle, and with Qarabag up next on Wednesday, he could pick up clean sheet points while still being dangerous from set pieces.
Nuno Mendes and Achraf Hakimi add real attacking threat for Paris Saint‑Germain, pushing high up the pitch and getting involved in chances, which means they can earn points from both goals and assists as well as defence as they play Monaco in the league.
In midfield, I’ve picked players who can both create and score. Anthony Gordon starts Wednesday for Newcastle.
His speed makes him dangerous against Qarabag, who struggle to deal with fast attacks, and he has already delivered 6 goals and 2 assists in the Champions League this season.
I expect him to be a key source of points for my team.
Vinicius Junior is another important pick. He drives Real Madrid’s attack and with 6 assists and 49 successful dribbles, he is just as dangerous creating chances as he is scoring.
Benfica gave Madrid problems in their last meeting, so I expect Vini to be the main player to exploit their high line.
Vinicius is also in strong domestic form, having scored twice against Real Sociedad, which makes him a high-upside option if I switch captaincy from Mbappe for Tuesday.
Ademola Lookman is my key differential for Atletico Madrid. Since joining in January, he has already contributed with goals and assists.
His movement between the lines makes him a threat agains and he could deliver big points if my Tuesday stars do not perform as expected.
At the base of my midfield is Vitinha, one of the most consistent performers this season. With goals, plus being on penalty duty, he provides a reliable source of points.
Pairing him with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is ideal. Kvara has been impressive for PSG with 3 goals and 3 assists in just 7 games.
Against Monaco, who can be vulnerable to pressure, this duo offers both steady returns and high attacking potential.
Up front, I’ve handed the captain’s armband to Kylian Mbappe, and it feels like the safest call this week.
He has been outstanding all season, scoring 36 goals across the Champions League and La Liga, and going without him would be a major risk for both my overall rank and mini-league.
With Real Madrid playing on Tuesday, he gives me a strong first-day captain option, especially against Benfica, a side he already hurt in their previous meeting.
His record in knockout games and ability to deliver big returns make him central to my plans.
Alongside him is Julian Alvarez, who completes my forward line and offers a perfect backup captain option on Wednesday. Atletico Madrid face Club Brugge, a fixture that suits their attacking approach.
Alvarez comes into the tie in good form after scoring and assisting against Barcelona, and his Champions League performances have been more consistent than his domestic returns.
If Mbappe somehow fails to deliver on Tuesday, Alvarez gives me a strong safety net for the second night.
On the bench, I’ve gone with Nick Pope, Alejandro Grimaldo, Lautaro Martinez, and Federico Dimarco.
All four are capable of stepping in if needed, whether through defensive returns, attacking contributions, or bonus points, which gives me flexibility across both matchdays.
What do you think about this team for Matchday 9? Would you make any changes? Who are you sticking with in your own squad, and which players do you trust to deliver points this week? We’d love to hear from you.