Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) has been handed a challenging group stage in the UEFA Champions League, with a draw that pits them against some of Europe’s most formidable teams.
The French champions will face Bayern Munich, Manchester City, Arsenal, and Atletico Madrid, alongside newcomers Girona, RB Salzburg, and Stuttgart.
The draw, announced on September 16, 2024, places PSG in Group A, where they will battle two of the top teams from Pot 1, Bayern Munich and Manchester City.
Bayern Munich, a perennial powerhouse, has consistently been a strong contender in the competition, while Manchester City, the defending champions, defeated PSG in the 2021 semi-finals.
Adding to the challenge, PSG will also contend with two top teams from Pot 2: Arsenal and Atletico Madrid. Arsenal, with their impressive form in the Premier League, will be a significant test for PSG.
Atletico Madrid, led by Diego Simeone, is known for its defensive solidity and counter-attacking prowess. This will be their first-ever encounter with PSG, making it a unique fixture for the Parisians.
The group stage fixtures will see PSG traveling to Munich and London for matches against Bayern and Arsenal, respectively. The Parc des Princes will be the venue for high-profile encounters against Manchester City and Atletico Madrid.
The clash with Manchester City will be particularly notable, given their past confrontations in the semi-finals, where City won the first leg 2-1 in Paris and PSG won the second leg 2-0 with a decisive goal from Leo Messi.
The inclusion of Girona, RB Salzburg, and Stuttgart, who have never faced PSG, adds an element of unpredictability to the group. Girona, with their solid La Liga performances, and RB Salzburg, known for their youthful talent, could pose unexpected challenges. Stuttgart, a team in the Bundesliga, will also be a fresh opponent for PSG.
Despite the high level of competition, PSG will draw some comfort from their past performances against Spanish teams.
Last season, they secured victories against Real Sociedad and Barcelona, showing their ability to perform well in Spain. This experience may benefit them as they prepare for matches against Atletico Madrid and Girona.
The current PSG squad is notably different from previous years, lacking the superstar presence of Kylian Mbappé, who has departed after eight seasons.
The team is now younger and less experienced on the European stage. This campaign will be crucial for the squad to grow collectively and individually, as they aim to advance at least to the quarter-finals.
Julien Laurens, a football analyst, anticipates a tough journey for PSG but remains optimistic about their chances. “PSG will advance, but it might be tough to finish in the top eight,” Laurens said.
“The order of their matches will be important, especially the timing of when they play the other best four teams of their schedule. I think they can reach 15 to 16 points, which could be enough to finish in the top eight.”
As PSG prepares for this daunting group stage, the eyes of the football world will be on their performances against these elite teams. The challenges they face could define their season and set the stage for a remarkable European campaign.
