PSG had to finish first in their group to avoid a big one, but it failed. Blame it on Benfica Lisbon, passed in front at the last minute of the final day. The club of the capital must now turn to the draw which takes place Monday, November 7 in Nyon (Switzerland), with fear in the stomach. As usual, by finishing second in their group, the club from the capital is sure to come across a group leader.
PSG can expect a big fish
Among the heavy goods vehicles to avoid, the Real Madrid, Manchester Cityand the Bayern Munich look like a scarecrow. The merengue club, the most successful in the history of the Champions League, could give Parisians the same nightmare as last year, at the same stage of the competition.
Another executioner of Parisians in recent years, Pep Guardiola’s men could stand in the way of PSG, after having deprived them of the final in 2021. Last “big” to avoid and not least, Bayern Munich. The Bavarians have, like every year, impressed from the group stages, being the only club to finish with 18 points, despite being in the “group of death” with Inter Milan and FC Barcelona.
Tottenham or Porto to breathe?
Among the more affordable prints, Tottenham showed great difficulty in getting out of a group within his reach with Olympique de Marseille in particular. Porto also suffered to get rid of Bayer Leverkusen, Brugge, and Atletico Madrid. Another possible adversary, Naplesleaders of Serie A, finished ahead of Liverpool but could see their momentum hampered by the World Cup. Chelsea, European champion 2021, seems to have lost its luster and could be an affordable opponent.
Answer Monday, November 7. The round of 16 will start on February 14/15, and February 21/22 for the first leg. The return matches will take place the week of March 7 and 14.
Each year, the football statistician MisterChip makes statistical projections of possible opponents according to the rules of the draw for the round of 16 (two teams from the same country cannot meet, two teams having played in pools cannot to meet). Thus, Paris would have an 18% chance of falling on Bayern, 14% on City, 11% on Madrid or 17% for Napoli.
Hats :
1: Bayern, City, Madrid, Chelsea, Tottenham, Porto, Napoli, Benfica
2: Liverpool, PSG, Leipzig, Dortmund, Bruges, Inter Milan, Francfort, AC Milan
