PSG, Brest and Lille victorious before decisive matches in the Champions League

Before a week of the Champions League (CLC), it is not uncommon to see teams involved in the most prestigious European competition encounter difficulties in their respective championships. This Saturday January 18 was no exception in France. The Ligue 1 teams competing at European level did not put their best foot forward, but they won. And that is surely the most important.

The Parisians, victorious but sluggish

Four days before a crucial match against Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain barely beat Racing Club de Lens (2-1). M'Bala Nzola had launched the hostilities for the Sang et Or, but Fabian Ruiz and Bradley Barcola, both scorers, allowed PSG to leave Pas-de-Calais with a precious success in their bags.

Even if the victory is there, the content of the match can be worrying. Lack of offensive combinations, numerous chances suffered, low technical level… The Parisians are no longer as dominant as they were a few months ago in Ligue 1.

Already three days earlier, against the modest amateurs of Espaly (Haute-Loire) in the Coupe de France, Luis Enrique's players had not sent any positive signals and had only won in the last moments of the match ( 4-2).

Facing the Cityzens of Pep Guardiola and Erling Haaland, Wednesday January 22, a defeat for PSG would drastically reduce the chances of reaching the next round. Failing in the Champions League group stage would be a first since Qatar arrived in Paris.

Brest continues in the derby

Except for a surprising defeat at the beginning of January against Angers (0-2), the year 2025 is starting – very – well for Stade Brestois. Still with the same score – two goals to one – the Bretons defeat their opponents one by one.

On Saturday, it was their Rennes neighbors who paid the price. Thanks to goals from Hugo Magnetti and Ludovic Ajorque, the Brestois were full of confidence before facing the Ukrainians from Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League.

An important meeting but not decisive for Eric Roy's gang, already qualified for the next European tour. Seventh with 13 points, the Brestois will try to collect as many points as possible to stay in the Top 8 and thus reach directly the 8^es final without going through a tricky roadblock.

Monaco is no longer there

As for the Monegasques, the euphoria of the start of the season in Ligue 1 has subsided. The Principality's players lost on Friday against the bottom of the championship Montpellier (2-1), and are now fourth, very far – 15 points – from the Parisian leader.

AS Monaco's decline in recent times is partly linked to the less impressive performances of its two talents, Maghnes Akliouche and Eliesse Ben Seghir.

The Red and Whites, not yet certain of reaching the next round of the Champions League – there are currently 16^es with 10 points –, will absolutely have to react against Aston Villa, in three days. This would allow them to avoid cold sweats against Inter Milan, their last trip in the group stage.

The people of Lille, as often, have courage

The Lille people are in a much more comfortable position. With 13 points, they are guaranteed to pass, at least, in 16^es Champions League final. In the event of favorable results against Liverpool on Tuesday, then against Feyenoord afterwards, the Mastiffs could even go directly to the 8^es of final.

In any case, to prepare for this clash against the Liverpool Reds, Lille have put themselves in good shape. Friday, Bruno Génésio's players overturned a very poorly started match against OGC Nice (2-1 victory). Led after the opening of Sofiane Diop's mark, the Dogues drew on their resources to equalize then win, thanks to achievements from Hákon Haraldsson and Bafodé Diakité.

LOSC had already relied on this strength of character during the week, to qualify on penalties in the Coupe de France against Marseille, after suffering an equalizer in the last moments of the match. If all these elements are still united against Liverpool, dreaming of victory is possible for the Northerners. Ask Réal Madrid, beaten in early October 2024.