In a surprising turn of events, European football giants Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) are grappling with challenges in the lower echelons of the UEFA Champions League table. Both clubs are undergoing significant transitions after losing star player Kylian Mbappe to Real Madrid during the summer transfer window. As the season unfolds, these teams confront the stark reality of possibly missing out on the knockout stages.
PSG's youthful squad, under the leadership of Luis Enrique, has struggled to find its footing in Europe. The team, which fielded its youngest-ever starting XI in Ligue 1 earlier this year, has only managed to secure two victories out of six matches in the Champions League. PSG's setbacks against formidable opponents like Bayern Munich, Atletico Madrid, and Arsenal highlight their ongoing challenges. Currently positioned 25th in the table, PSG is on the brink of full elimination, as only the top 24 teams have a chance to advance to the play-offs.
Meanwhile, Manchester City faces its own set of hurdles. With just two league-phase games remaining, City's prospects of advancing to the knockout stage hang in the balance. A failure to secure a top-eight finish would propel them into a two-legged play-off round come February, where they must vie for a spot among the final eight teams in the knockout phase.
Real Madrid, although slightly better off than PSG, finds itself languishing at 20th place. The Spanish club recently edged out a victory against Atalanta, marking their first win in three matches. However, consistent performance is crucial if they wish to surpass the threshold for automatic qualification into the round of 16.
The stakes are high as clubs vie for positions in the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League final scheduled to be held at the Allianz Arena in Munich on May 31, 2025. For PSG, finishing anywhere between 25th and 36th will spell elimination from this prestigious competition. Meanwhile, Manchester City must capitalize on their remaining fixtures to avoid a similar fate.
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