Cyrille de La Morinerie // Photo credits: Franck Fife/AFP 07:08, December 18, 2023

Bayern Munich, Manchester City, Real Madrid, PSG are still in danger of inheriting a big name in European football as opponents in the round of 16 of the Champions League, the draw for which takes place this Monday in Nyon (Switzerland). The Parisians fear the worst and will have to raise their level a notch in February.

Shaken up on the European scene, Paris Saint-Germain were also shaken up on the domestic scene on Sunday during the 16th matchday at Lille (1-1), missing the opportunity to extend their lead at the top of Ligue 1. Already assured of finishing the year at the top of the league, PSG (39 points) did not manage to take full advantage of the defeat of their runners-up Nice at Le Havre (3-1) on Saturday, but they are still five points ahead of the Aiglons.

Four days after their stressful draw in Dortmund (1-1) which qualified them for the knockout stages of the Champions League, Paris were no more reassuring in Lille than in Germany.

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Real Sociedad, the best draw

The players will have their heads set on Europe on Monday. In Nyon, Switzerland, PSG are still in danger of inheriting a big name in European football as opponents in the round of 12 of the Champions League, the draw for which takes place at 00:<>. The best draw for the Parisian club would be Real Sociedad, the Basque club, who made a small sensation by finishing first in their group ahead of Inter Milan.

The current sixth in the Spanish league is participating in the Champions League for only the fifth time. But another Spanish team seems to be within PSG's reach. And surprise, it's FC Barcelona, says Europe 1 football consultant Alain Giresse.

"Even though they are getting a team back on track, I don't think it's the great Barca yet. It would be possible for PSG to qualify," said the former Girondins de Bordeaux player.

Conversely, the bogeyman of this draw would be Manchester City. The defending champions, led by the formidable striker Erling Haaland, are a cut above the rest, even if they are going through a dry spell. Among the latest possibilities, other major European clubs: Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Arsenal or Atletico de Madrid. Paris will have the big disadvantage of playing the second leg of these round of 13 away from home. The first leg of the round of 14 will be played on 20, 21, 5 and 6 February, with the second legs on 12, 13, <> and <> March.