Champions League draw: PSG and Lens can expect a lot

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By: Manu Tournoux

Champions League draw: PSG and Lens can expect a lot

After a 2022/2023 edition where Manchester City finally managed to win the Grail against Inter Milan (1-0), the Champions League returns for the 2023/2024 season. France will unfortunately only have two representatives since Olympique de Marseille was eliminated in the third preliminary round against Panathinaikos (1-0/1-2 then 5-3 on tab). It is therefore up to Paris Saint-Germain and Racing Club de Lens to best represent Ligue 1 and the two teams can already expect good draws.

PSG can fall on an XXL draw despite their hat 1

Reigning champion of France, Paris Saint-Germain will be in pot 1. Good news for Luis Enrique and his men who will be able to avoid other big players like Manchester City, FC Barcelona and Bayern Munich, but also serious underdogs like SSC Napoli and SL Benfica. Nevertheless, it gets tougher with hat 2 since the Ile-de-France residents will come across a formidable team no matter what. If Borussia Dortmund, RB Leipzig and FC Porto are teams that PSG should be wary of, but which remain within reach of the capital club, the other five teams can clearly shake PSG. First there is Real Madrid, a team that has regularly put the Ile-de-France residents in difficulty and whose storytelling around Kylian Mbappé will not fail to make people talk.

There will also be the English of Manchester United and Arsenal who are making their comeback from the competition, but also Inter Milan who are the outgoing finalists. Finally, Atlético de Madrid (Spain) also presents itself as an unclear draw. In hat 3, it will be necessary to be especially wary of the Italians of AC Milan and SS Lazio. Finally in hat 4, there will also be some great people with teams like Real Sociedad, Newcastle United or Union Berlin who can play the spoilsports. Therefore, a draw with Real Madrid, AC Milan and Newcastle is possible for Paris Saint-Germain. Which would look like a sacred group of death. Ile-de-France residents can also come across FC Porto, Red Star Belgrade and Royal Antwerp.

Racing Club de Lens will have heavyweights no matter what

For Racing Club de Lens, which is back in the Champions League for the first time since the 2002/2003 season, it’s a very big draw ahead. Admittedly, the Artesians will avoid Real Sociedad, Galatasaray, Celtic Glasgow, Newcastle United and Union Berlin, but it will be to better challenge other big players. This will be the case in particular for the teams in pot 1. If Lens will not play against Paris Saint-Germain, teams like Manchester City, FC Barcelona, ​​Bayern Munich, Naples or Benfica will be very difficult to play. Facing Sevilla and Feyenoord as well, the mission will not be so easy. In hat 2, it is also the certainty of challenging a big formation with Real Madrid, Manchester United, Arsenal, Atlético de Madrid or Inter Milan at the head of the queue.

Borussia Dortmund, FC Porto and RB Leipzig will not be overlooked. In Hat 3, AC Milan and SS Lazio will be the scarecrows to avoid. RB Salzburg also looks like a team that is not easy to maneuver. Shakhtar Donestk, Braga, Red Star Belgrade or FC Copenhagen will be teams more in line with RC Lens even if it will be complicated. A draw with Manchester City, Real Madrid and AC Milan or Bayern Munich, Arsenal and Lazio can await the northern club, which would be very complicated. On the other hand, in the event of a draw with Feyenoord, Porto and Red Star Belgrade, Lens will be able to consider a better outcome. There are still more chances of having big fish for Franck Haise’s proteges.

Hat 1

  • Manchester City (England)
  • Sevilla FC (Spain)
  • FC Barcelona (Spain)
  • SSC Napoli (Italy)
  • Bayern Munich (Germany)
  • Paris Saint Germain (France)
  • SL Benfica (Portugal)
  • Feyenoord Rotterdam (Netherlands)

Hat 2

  • Real Madrid (Spain)
  • Manchester United (England)
  • Inter Milan (Italy)
  • Borussia Dortmund (Germany)
  • Atlético de Madrid (Spain)
  • RB Leipzig (Germany)
  • FC Porto (Portugal)
  • Arsenal (England)

Hat 3

  • Shakhtar Donetsk (Ukraine)
  • RB Salzburg (Austria)
  • AC Milan (Italy)
  • SC Braga (Portugal)
  • SS Lazio (Italy)
  • Red Star of Belgrade (Serbia)
  • PSV Eindhoven (Netherlands)
  • FC Copenhagen (Denmark)

Hat 4

  • Real Sociedad (Spain)
  • Galatasaray (Türkiye)
  • Celtic Glasgow (Scotland)
  • Newcastle United (England)
  • Union Berlin (Germany)
  • RC Lens (France)
  • Royal Antwerp (Belgium)
  • Young Boys from Bern (Switzerland)
Categories PSG
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Manu Tournoux

Manu Tournoux is a passionate and knowledgeable football enthusiast with a special focus on French football. Born and raised in France, Manu discovered his love for the beautiful game at a young age and developed a deep understanding of the ins and outs of "Le Championnat." His French roots and extensive experience in football journalism have made him an invaluable asset to the French Football Weekly team. As an author for the website, Manu's expertise includes not only in-depth analysis of Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 matches but also insightful profiles of up-and-coming talents, detailed transfer news, and engaging coverage of the French national team. His captivating writing style and undeniable passion for the game have earned him a loyal following among our readers. When he's not crafting engaging articles for French Football Weekly, Manu enjoys attending live matches whenever he can, exploring football culture in various French cities, and engaging in spirited debates with fellow fans. Feel free to follow Manu on Twitter and interact with him as he shares his expert opinions, insights, and love for French football.

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