The draw for the group stage of the 2024-25 UEFA Champions League has been finalized. Nasser, the chairman of Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), appeared extremely shocked upon learning the results, as PSG will face eight opponents in the group stage: Manchester City (Premier League), Bayern Munich (Bundesliga), Arsenal (Premier League), Atlético Madrid (La Liga), VfB Stuttgart (Bundesliga), Girona (La Liga), PSV Eindhoven (Eredivisie), and Red Bull Salzburg (Austrian Bundesliga). The difficulty of this schedule is staggering. American media ESPN commented that PSG will face the toughest schedule.
Manchester City and Arsenal are the runners-up and champions respectively of the Premier League, both strong teams and among the favorites to win the Champions League this season. Although Bayern Munich failed to defend their Bundesliga title last season, their strength remains unquestionable, and they are also one of the favorites for the Champions League this season. Atlético Madrid brought in a series of reinforcements during the summer transfer window, including Álvarez and Sorloth, enhancing their competitiveness. Notably, Manchester City, Arsenal, Atlético Madrid, and Bayern Munich all reached the quarter-finals of last season’s Champions League. In the latest odds for winning the Champions League, Manchester City, Arsenal, and Bayern Munich rank within the top four.
In addition to these four teams, VfB Stuttgart finished as runners-up in the Bundesliga last season, ahead of Bayern Munich, indicating a certain level of competitiveness. Additionally, Girona finished third in La Liga last season, ahead of Atlético Madrid, scoring 85 goals in 38 matches, second only to Real Madrid, who won the league with 87 goals. PSV Eindhoven were the Eredivisie champions last season, losing only one match during their title run; they have also won all three of their opening matches in the new Eredivisie season, showing great form. As for Austrian team Red Bull Salzburg, they qualified for the Champions League proper through the play-off round, but are relatively weaker in terms of strength.
Therefore, it will be no easy task for PSG to secure more points in such a challenging group and advance directly to the Round of 16 of the Champions League. After the draw ceremony, PSG chairman Nasser admitted, “I feel we’ve drawn the toughest group, but it gives us even more motivation.”
This weekend, PSG will face strong opponents Lille in the Ligue 1, with both teams having won their first two matches of the new season.