Placed in Group F of the Champions League this season alongside Borussia Dortmund, AC Milan and Newcastle, PSG has without a shadow of a doubt inherited the toughest draw of this 2023/2024 vintage . At first glance, a group crushing ambitions which is enough to perplex the Ile-de-France club, never eliminated from the group stage of the competition since the arrival of QSI in 2011. A Champions League semi-finalist, a vice-champion of Germany stripped of his leadership throne during the final day of the Bundesliga, and finally a 4th in the Premier League, who between them total 13 C1 finals.
On August 31 at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco, we could easily imagine a class struggle that would leave its mark. By his own admission, however, Nasser Al-KhelaĂŻfi considered this situation as a good thing: “It’s difficult but it’s the same for others. That’s what we want, that’s what we like, playing big matches. You have to take it in a positive way”, insisted the club president after the draw. But today, given everyone’s fitness levels, should PSG really fear this group F? For Marquinhos, questioned at a press conference, the answer is clear: “I think it’s a very difficult group with teams who have a great history despite the difficulty. Football moves quickly and each match has its story. We have to prepare well, every match will be a final during this period. This group will allow us to get straight into the swing of things. All the matches are going to be important for us, all the matches are going to be like a final for us in this group stage..
Dortmund advances slowly in the Bundesliga
However, Dortmund, PSG’s opponent this Tuesday (9:00 p.m.), is still struggling to take off in the league. If the Ruhr club won – in a laborious manner – against Friborg this weekend (4-2), the Marsupiaux stretched certain limits during the two draws conceded against Bochum (1-1) then at promoted Heidenheim (2-2), particularly on the defensive aspect where MKD will certainly have flaws to exploit (5 goals conceded in the last three matches).
Same story up front. Apart from the in-form Donyell Malen, scorer of 3 league goals, no German striker has yet found the net this season. However, the quality is not lacking at first glance (Haller, Adeyemi, Füllkrug, Moukoko…). A situation which can largely find its source in the departure of Jude Bellingham, formerly a relay between the two regions of the field. For BILD, a shortness of breath seems to be looming in the distance, and it would be better if Edin Terzić found a solution. If he is not yet really threatened, the German coach could see his credit worn out in the event of poor results in C1.
Milan and Newcastle are not flying over their championship either
Winner of its first three Serie A matches this season despite a 50% workforce, AC Milan saw its momentum cut short by the international break. Last Saturday, the Rossoneri indeed suffered the harsh law of the strongest against their interist rival, clear winner of the Madonnina Derby (5-1). A monumental slap which logically calls into question Stefano Pioli, already contested by a large part of the Milanese faithful. His exit after his team’s defeat to explain his refusal to apologize to the supporters should not boost his popularity rating.
Finally, Newcastle, 4th in the Premier League last season, has rarely seemed so crumbly in recent months. Best defense in the championship during the 2022/2023 financial year with 33 goals conceded, the Magpies are dragging their spleen today and have already totaled 7 in five days. After three consecutive defeats, Eddie Howe’s players still got their heads back on track with a narrow success against Brentford this weekend (1-0), but still not enough to jump to the ceiling. Criticized in recent weeks, Eddie Howe also made a notable outing in the press: “I am immune to criticism. I don’t need anyone to tell me anything about the team and especially my work. I don’t listen to them.”. It just goes to show that the stormy summer doesn’t stop at the borders of the City of Lights.
