Why PSG should feel confident despite having a difficult UCL draw?

The Champions League draw took place yesterday, with several clubs across Europe discovering who they will play in the league phase of the tournament. Ahead of the draw last night, the European champions were placed in Pot 1, while the two other French clubs were respectively in Pot 3 (Olympique de Marseille) and Pot 4 (AS Monaco).

Luis Enrique and his side discovered that they had these fixtures in the upcoming League phase: Bayern Munich (Home), Barcelona (away), Atlanta (home), Bayer Leverkusen (away), Spurs (home), Sporting Lisbon (away), Newcastle United (home) and Athletic Bilbao (away). Here at PSG Post, we discuss why the French champions should not be fearful despite having difficult opponents in the tournament.

Why Luis Enrique and his team should remain unafraid of tough UCL draw

They can learn from last season

Last season, they had to play Arsenal (away), Bayern Munich (away), Atletico Madrid (home), and Manchester City (home) in the league phase. They did not fare too well in those fixtures, having lost to all the teams apart from Manchester City, which was the most crucial game for them in the league phase of the tournament.

They had dispatched Pep Guardiola's side 4-2 in Paris. Les Parisiens know that they need to do better in the league phase this year to avoid playing an extra two games in the winter. This could be detrimental as they run the risk of players picking up injuries with a condensed schedule. Luis Enrique knows that it isn't about how you start the tournament, as they had grown into the tournament in the knockout phase.

They have strengthened the squad

Thus far, this transfer window, Les Parisiens have acquired the services of Ilya Zabarnyi and Lucas Chevalier. They have also sold Nordi Mukiele and Milan Skriniar. Overall, it is fair to say they have strengthened their squad as those two players weren't needed. There is also still time this transfer window for them to get rid of some of the deadwood, as there are still some players who are surplus to requirements. If they can't get rid of more players, they will struggle to sign one or two more players.

The French champions have pressure off them after winning the treble

Before last season, the Champions League was the trophy the Qatari owners wanted more than any other, as they are the dominant force in French football. They accomplished that goal in style by beating Inter Milan 5-0 in the final. There was no pressure on the side to win the tournament last campaign, as they did not replace Kylian Mbappe last summer. They also did not have any superstars such as Lionel Messi or Neymar. This resulted in them becoming more of a team as fewer players played for themselves.

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