Still the top seed in the Champions League draw, PSG were expecting tough opponents in the new format of the “championship phase”, with two clashes against teams from pot 1. But the Red and Blue really came up against something tough, with successive clashes against Arsenal, Atlético de Madrid, Bayern and Manchester City! Girona, in two weeks for the first day of the competition, PSV, Salzburg and Stuttgart are the four other opponents.
To qualify directly for the round of 16, you must finish in the top 8 of the general ranking (with the 36 participants) and PSG will have to fight hard. Its program is the second most difficult taking into account the UEFA coefficients of the opponents. According to the statistical projections of Football RankingsLuis Enrique’s players will only finish in 15th position. They would then play the February play-offs (two-way) against the 18th, which is, according to the computer simulation, Thiago Motta’s Juventus!
Monaco relegated to the relegation zone like PSG
Still according to statistical projections, Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City would finish at the top of the general classification ahead of Real Madrid, Bayern and Inter Milan. Atalanta, Arsenal, Borussia Dortmund and Barça will also rise to the top 8 thanks to their slightly more affordable schedule than the others (notably PSG). Among the teams that have the easiest paths taking into account the UEFA coefficients, Borussia Dortmund and Atalanta are the best placed (they both face Shakhtar Donetsk and Sturm Graz).
The other three French clubs will have to perform some feats to hope to finish in the top 24 (the last 12 will be eliminated from any European cup). AS Monaco is only projected in 22nd place, due to a course that offers it Barça, Inter, Arsenal or Aston Villa. Losc is 25th and will narrowly miss out on qualifying for the play-offs. Les Dogues will challenge Real, Liverpool, Juve and Atlético. Stade Brestois, opposed to Real and Barça, only finishes 27th out of 36 in the simulation published on X.
