Whatever the verdict of the “balls” of the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA), Paris Saint-Germain knew that they would face a renowned opponent. Manchester City, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, FC Barcelona, Arsenal, Atlético de Madrid and Borussia Dortmund, this was the list of potential rivals of the capital club in the quarter-finals of the Champions League, 2023-2024 edition.
At the end of the draw, Friday March 15 at the house of European football in Nyon (Switzerland), the Swiss headquarters of the body which governs continental football, Paris knows that it will face FC Barcelona in the quarter-finals of the competition. A meeting where Kylian Mbappé’s teammates had been absent for three years. The Parisians will play the first leg at the Parc des Princes on April 9 or 10.
“I have no preference on the draw,” observed PSG’s Spanish coach, Luis Enrique, at a press conference on Wednesday. But what I am sure of is that no team wants to come up against PSG. None ! In any case, if we believe that there is an easy draw, we will win nothing. »
Un choc Real Madrid-Manchester city
If they qualified for the semi-finals of the Champions League, the Parisians would face the winner of the double opposition between Atlético Madrid and Borussia Dortmund. The other two quarter-finals will pit Arsenal against Bayern Munich and Real Madrid against Manchester City.
In the round of 16 against Real Sociedad, PSG did not tremble. Jostled in the first leg, PSG finally did the essential (2-0) thanks to its individuals, the essential Kylian Mbappé and Bradley Barcola. Carried by their superstar author of a double, the Parisians then validated their ticket (2-1) at the end of a generally controlled match despite a late goal from the Basques, in San Sebastián.
The reigning French champion, undefeated in the competition since his group defeat in early October 2023 against Newcastle, received a rather affordable draw with an FC Barcelona team in reconstruction. Absent from the quarters for four years and its defeat against Bayern Munich (8-1), Xavi’s group was seen as an affordable draw for the Parisians and the opportunity to take revenge after the 2017 Remontada. Except for Luis Enrique , on the Barcelona bench then, and who will lead the Parisians this time. With many injuries in midfield (Gavi, Pedri, de Jong), this very young Barcelona team has points of weakness.
The first leg will be played at the Parc des Princes and the return in Barcelona. In the event of qualification, PSG will therefore face the winner of the quarter-final between Antoine Giezmann’s Atlético de Madrid and Borussia Dortmund, who were in the Parisians’ group during the group stage (2-0 victory and match draw 1-1). Mbappé and his teammates therefore avoid the European heavyweights – Manchester City, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich – until a hypothetical final.
The other part of the table will feature Arsenal and a Bayern Munich in crisis on one side, and the clash of its quarters, on the other, between two favorites for the title: Real Madrid and Manchester City. Not reassuring against RB Leipzig in the eighth, the Spaniards will find Eder Militao and Thibaut Courtois in defense. Manchester City, reigning European champion and coached by Pep Guardiola, remains the huge favorite, with an extraordinary squad and bench depth.
The first legs will be played on April 9 and 10. The meetings return the following week, April 16 and 17. The semi-finals will be played on April 30 and May 1 for the first legs and then on May 7 and 8 for the returns. The final will be played on June 1 at London’s Wembley Stadium.
The quarter table
Arsenal – FC Bayern Munich
Atlético Madrid – Borussia Dortmund
Real Madrid – Manchester city
PSG – FC Barcelona
The semi-final table
Atletico Madrid or Borussia Dortmund – PSG or FC Barcelone
Arsenal or Bayern Munich – Real Madrid or Manchester City