A meme captures Neymar's expression upon seeing PSG's opponents in the expanded 2025-2026 Champions League group stage. Image: Troll Football

PSG's history with Bayern Munich continues. In the past 5 years, the two sides have met seven times. Last season, the German team won 1-0 in the group stage after Ousmane Dembele was sent off.

However, in the FIFA Club World Cup quarterfinals last July, PSG won 2-0 despite finishing the match with only 9 players. The upcoming rematch at Parc des Princes promises to be tense, as Paris fans haven't forgotten their defeat in the 2020 Champions League final.

Like Bayern, Barca also shares a storied rivalry with PSG. The two teams have an even head-to-head record, each with 5 wins, 4 draws, and 5 losses, and 27 goals scored. In the 2024 quarterfinals, PSG lost 2-3 in Paris but crushed Barca 4-1 at Camp Nou. The upcoming match is even more anticipated given the presence of Dembele and Lamine Yamal, two contenders for the 2025 Ballon d'Or.

Tottenham also poses a threat to PSG. In mid-August, the two teams drew 2-2 in the European Super Cup before the French side won on penalties. At the time, Tottenham was missing key players like James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski, while PSG wasn't at full strength. Regardless, Tottenham demonstrated their power by defeating Man City 2-0 in the second round of this season's Premier League.

Newcastle presents PSG with a chance for revenge, though it won't be easy. At the end of 2023, the Magpies thrashed PSG 4-1 in the Champions League group stage. This summer, they spent over 250 million USD on Anthony Elanga, Jacob Ramsey, and Nick Woltermade. While Alexander Isak might depart, Newcastle maintains a challenging style under Eddie Howe.

Bundesliga runners-up, Bayer Leverkusen, will also demand PSG's attention. Eleven years ago, they lost to PSG 1-6 on aggregate in the round of 16. Leverkusen has transformed under Xabi Alonso, winning the 2023-2024 Bundesliga and returning to the Champions League last season. However, they haven't regained their form under Erik ten Hag this season.

Athletic Bilbao is no pushover either, having finished in the La Liga top 5 for two consecutive seasons. With Spain's number one goalkeeper Unai Simon and brothers Inaki and Nico Williams in attack, the Basque representatives are always a threat at their home ground, San Mames.

Compared to the aforementioned opponents, Atalanta and Sporting might appear less dangerous. However, they still possess some European pedigree, unlike newcomers like Kairat or Pafos. This explains PSG President Nasser Al Khelaifi's stoic expression upon learning about the eight opponents.

Last season, PSG narrowly avoided elimination in the group stage but ultimately emerged as champions. This time, they must demonstrate their strength from the outset to avoid an early exit.

Hoang An (according to Le Parisien)