A year later, Parisian supporters are ready to bring out the calculator, but not for the same reasons. If last year at this time, Paris Saint-Germain was struggling to finish the regular phase of the Champions League in the top 24, synonymous with qualification for the play-offs, Luis Enrique’s group is aiming for a very different objective this season.
Author of a good start to the campaign, with four victories for a draw and a defeat, PSG occupies, a few hours before its match counting for the 7th day against Sporting CP (9 p.m.), third place in the ranking with 13 points, only ahead of Bayern Munich (15 points) and Arsenal (18 points).
Two days before the end of the league phase, Ousmane Dembélé and his partners are already assured of appearing at least among the first 24 and therefore of being play-offs. But the Parisians logically do not intend to stop there. As a reminder, a place in the top 8 would allow them to avoid the play-off round and qualify directly for the round of 16.
Paris in very favorable waiver in case of success
Engaged in an extended season marked by numerous injuries, the capital club will certainly not save two fewer games in February.
But a victory against Sporting will not be enough for Paris to mathematically ensure its qualification. Indeed, even if a success on Lisbon soil would bring it very close to its objective, a large number of teams can still potentially overtake PSG after the 8th and final day, which will see the Ile-de-France club host Newcastle on Wednesday January 28.
However, with 16 points and a very favorable goal difference, Luis Enrique and his men would be in a very favorable tie at the start of this final meeting. In this scenario, it would take a very large defeat against the Magpies and an avalanche of unfavorable results in other matches to deprive them of the top 8.
Another issue that could motivate the reigning European champions this Tuesday at José Alvalade: the race for the top 2. The two teams finishing at the top of the league phase standings will have the advantage of being protected for the rest of the competition by being placed at both ends of the final table. In addition, the lucky winners will play at home during all the return matches until the final.
Worth a look
