Joao Neves et le PSG veulent rester aussi efficaces à Stuttgart que contre Manchester City pour assurer leur qualification. XinHua – Glenn Gervot
PSG can settle for a draw in Stuttgart tonight (9pm) to join the three other French clubs in the play-offs. Brest, Lille and Monaco can even aim for a round of 16 directly in the event of a victory combined with a favorable sum of results. We take stock.
It's time to take stock. The last day of the League phase, this Wednesday, January 29 (all matches at 9 p.m.) in the Champions League, could see a historic and unexpected Grand Slam for French clubs. Three of them – Brest, Lille and Monaco – are already assured of at least one place in the play-offs (places 9 to 24) with the hope of direct qualification for the round of 16 (top 8). Only PSG still needs to secure its qualification on the back of its major success against Manchester City (4-2) last Wednesday.
PSG: a draw is enough for Stuttgart
With 10 points, Paris has its destiny in its own hands and must secure at least a draw in Stuttgart to finish in the top 24 and validate its ticket for the play-offs, which will be played over a double home-and-away confrontation. The Parisians would still avoid elimination in the first round, never seen under the Qatari flag.
If this is the case, Marquinhos' teammates will find out the name of their future opponent on Friday during the draw in Nyon (Switzerland).
With a squad that is almost at full strength – Nuno Mendes is suspended and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is not qualified for the competition at this stage – PSG will be able to count on its strong men who helped overthrow the “Citizens” last week. And first and foremost midfielder Joao Neves, Ousmane Dembélé – who scored again on Saturday in L1 during the draw (1-1) against Reims – and Bradley Barcola, finally decisive on the European stage. With the absence of Nuno Mendes, doubts remain over the defensive line.
200% Deposit Bonus up to €3,000 180% First Deposit Bonus up to $20,000Brest: the feat against Real or the play-offs
With very little chance of reaching the Top 8, Brest and Real Madrid face off in Guingamp with the main concern of ensuring at least the best possible draw for the play-offs. This arrival of Mbappé and the Madrid stars is the highlight of a fabulous group run for the Bretons, winners in particular of Salzburg, Prague and Eindhoven with a small disappointment against Donetsk (0-2) last week.
Kylian Mbappé and Real players arrived safely in Brest on Tuesday, January 28. MAXPPP – Guillaume Saligot/Ouest-France
Thirteenth with 13 points before the last round, Brest are ahead of a number of big names: Bayern Munich (15th), Juventus (17th), Benfica (21st), Paris SG (22nd), Manchester City (25th)… and Real Madrid (16th), the defending champion. To aim for the Top 8, the Breton club must overcome Real and hope that at least four of the clubs directly ahead of them do not win.
Monaco wants to go all-in in Milan
Monaco can tip its season in the right direction in Milan against Inter, where a victory on Wednesday (9:00 p.m.) could give it direct access to the round of 16 if the other results are favorable. Capable of beating the great Barça (2-1 on the first day) as well as losing to the last of Ligue 1 Montpellier (2-1), ASM seems to be on the rise again after its victory against Aston Villa (1-0) last week.
If they do not win, Adi Hütter's players are however at the mercy of their pursuers and could find themselves beyond 16th place, forced to play a play-off first leg at home and the return leg away to one of the clubs ranked from 9th to 16th place.
Lille has all the cards in hand for an 8th
Author without a doubt of the most convincing course with victories over Real and Atlético Madrid, a draw against Juventus and a narrow defeat (2-1) at the ogre Liverpool, Losc has the chance to finish at home against a more modest team, Feyenoord Rotterdam, which remains on 5 defeats in C1 against clubs English.
Bruno Genesio and his Lille players want to make the most of their great run in this group stage. MAXPPP – BAZIZ CHIBANE
A victory, combined with a failure of four of the seven clubs preceding it, would propel Lille into the Top 8. Among these rivals are Brest and Monaco. Losses of these two French clubs would therefore strengthen the chances of the Dogues to secure at least a place in the 8th in French football.