Overview
- Nice landed one of the sternest Europa League schedules, drawing AS Roma and FC Porto among eight opponents, with club president Fabrice Bocquet calling it a demanding challenge and setting a Top 24 target.
- Lille and Lyon received comparatively favorable Europa League slates, with Roma the standout name for Lille and Salzburg and Real Betis the key hurdles for Lyon, though OL’s squad planning remains constrained by required player sales to satisfy DNCG and UEFA rules.
- Paris Saint‑Germain’s Champions League program features Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Tottenham, Leverkusen, Atalanta, Sporting, Athletic Bilbao and Newcastle, prompting coach Luis Enrique to question the format and joke that the draw’s “computer button” may not work.
- Luis Enrique cautioned that qualifying directly for the last 16 will likely require at least five wins and three draws, acknowledging the high probability of dropped points against elite opposition.
- Le Parisien’s simulation using Elo-style ratings found PSG’s opponents average roughly 75 points stronger than expected, making Paris the team with the toughest draw relative to statistical expectation among the 36 entrants.