The Champions League group stage ended this Wednesday evening on the occasion of this 6th and final day. We had to take advantage of it, because this is the last group stage under the version that we have known for two decades now. From next year, the C1 changes format with several modifications. There will be 36 and no longer 32 teams competing with a single pool in which all teams will play 8 matches against 8 different opponents.
We’re not there yet. Before that, there will be this 2023/2024 campaign to finish, starting for the final phase from next February. We already knew 14 of the qualifiers for the next round and now the list is complete following the last meetings this Wednesday evening. This is what PSG, the last French representative, can expect since RC Lens could only hope for qualification in the Europa League.
A shock in sight for PSG in the round of 16
He knows it, he is the first concerned, but the capital club would have been well inspired to win on the pitch of Borussia Dortmund. Instead of finishing first in your group and having an apparently more affordable round of 16, this 2nd place offers much fewer guarantees for the future. Opponents like Copenhagen, PSV, Naples, Porto, Lazio and RB Leipzig extended their arms to PSG. Enough to optimize your chances if you fail to ensure your qualification for the quarter-finals. The Ile-de-France residents will ultimately have a good chance of being treated to their shock in the next round, as is often the case in recent years.
Luis Enrique and his gang will have a lot to do since apart from Real Sociedad, seen as the weakest and least experienced opponent at this level of competition, all the other teams are claiming final victory. We of course think of the title holder, Manchester City, but also of Real Madrid, Bayern Munich or even Arsenal and FC Barcelona, even if the Catalan club appears a little further behind. Atlético de Madrid is also a big piece capable of shaking the Parisian team. Verdict on December 18 at the time of the draw.
The 14 qualified for the round of 16 already known:
1st: Bayern, Arsenal, Real Madrid, Real Sociedad, Manchester City, Atlético, FC Barcelona
2nd: Copenhagen, PSV, Napoli, Inter, RB Leipzig, Lazio, PSG, Porto
