PSG stumble against PSV but hold on to Champions League playoff spot

PSG could not overcome PSV in the latest Champions League match, but they remain in a strong position to qualify for the next stage.

PSG's draw against PSV Eindhoven may have been a disappointing result, but it hasn't had much impact on their overall standing in the Champions League.

Despite dropping points, Paris haven't lost any ground in the table and are still in the running for the play-offs.

The third matchday of the group stage concluded on Wednesday night, and French clubs certainly held their own.

Lille secured a stunning victory away to Atletico Madrid, a side PSG will face in just two weeks' time, while Brest earned a solid 1-1 draw against the German champions, Bayer Leverkusen.

PSG stumble against PSV but hold on to Champions League playoff spot

In the current standings, Monaco sit 4th with 7 points, tied with Brest in 5th, while Lille have climbed to 15th place with six points to their name.

Here are the results from the last Champions League matchday:

• Atalanta 0-0 Celtic
• Brest 1-1 Leverkusen
• Benfica 1-3 Feyenoord
• Leipzig 0-1 Liverpool
• Young Boys 0-1 Inter
• Atletico Madrid 1-3 Lille
• Barcelona 4-1 Bayern Munich
• Manchester City 5-0 Sparta Prague
• Salzburg 0-2 Dinamo Zagreb

Following these results, PSG remain 19th in the standings, the exact same position they held after their loss to Arsenal (0-2) in the previous matchday.

In the grand scheme of things, this is not too bad for Paris. They’re still in a group of five teams with four points after three games and only trail Stuttgart, their final opponents in January, on goals scored.

It's worth noting that PSG only have a single point advantage over the 24th and final play-off spot, currently held by Girona, whom Paris defeated in the opening match.

However, the clubs at the bottom of the table could still shake things up, with AC Milan (25th), Atletico Madrid (27th), PSV (28th), and RB Leipzig (31st) all capable of making a comeback.

The upcoming match against Atletico Madrid is crucial for Luis Enrique's side. If they lose, or even fail to win, the situation will become very difficult, both in terms of morale and media pressure.

PSG desperately needed to beat PSV, and now the road ahead looks quite challenging given the calibre of their upcoming opponents, with only a few appearing "winnable" on paper.

For now, PSG will focus on Le Classique against Olympique de Marseille, which is set to take place next Sunday at the Stade Velodrome.