Paris Saint-Germain will get to the heart of the matter this fall with a very tough Champions League group.
By being placed in hat 1, Luis Enrique and his men would certainly not have imagined such a scenario… And yet: Paris Saint-Germain got the toughest group in this first round of the Champions League. While the draw took place this Thursday in Monaco, the French champions fell into group G with Borussia Dortmund, AC Milan and Newcastle.
Relive the Champions League draw live!
The first lesson from this draw therefore concerns the level of the next opponents of the Parisians, who will not be able to approach this group stage with the status of grandissime favorite as they are used to. Paris will remain the best-equipped team to hope to clinch first place, but the Rouge et Bleu will have to face up to some bubbling atmospheres away from home.
Dortmund have changed since 2020
If the numbers are not yet fixed, it is interesting to take a look at the typical teams of the next opponents of PSG. Accustomed to playing in 4-2-3-1, Borussia Dortmund will rely on an old acquaintance of French football, the Ivorian international trained in Auxerre Sébastien Haller. The striker will be supported by recognized talents like Brandt, Adeyemi and veteran Reus. The other lines are also well stocked with elements like Sabitzer, or the experienced Hummels and Süle in the central hinge. However, Jude Bellingham is no longer there.
The eleven type of Borussia Dortmund : Kobel – Ryerson, Hummels, Süle, Bensebaini – Sabitzer, Can – Brandt, Reus, Adeyemi – Haller.
Milan, reunion with the Frenchies
For its part, AC Milan has already demonstrated its strength during the last edition by climbing into the last four. The Rossoneri squad haven’t undergone any major changes since last season despite the departure of the talented Tonali. It will still be carried by an always effective Olivier Giroud, and the twirling Rafael Leao, danger number 1 of the Lombard club. French internationals Mike Maignan and Théo Hernandez are also essential pawns in an articulated 4-3-3 system.
The eleven type of AC Milan : Maignan – Calabria, Thiaw, Tomori, T. Hernandez – Loftus-Cheek, Krunic, Bennacer – Pulisic, Giroud, R. Leao.
Newcastle, beware danger
Finally, the Newcastle Magpies are not to be taken lightly after their return to national prominence last season. Tonali, precisely, transferred from Milan, came to improve an already oiled midfield around the former Lyonnais Guimaraes. The Swede Isak will also be one to watch like the milk on fire on the front of the attack.
Newcastle’s Kind Eleven : Pope – Trippier, Botman, Schär, Burn – Tonali, Guimaraes, Joelinton – Almiron, Isak, Gordon.
