Champions League: best and worst-case draw scenarios for PSG, Lens and Lille

The Champions League league phase draw takes place Thursday in Monaco, and PSG, RC Lens and LOSC Lille await learning their eight opponents in a profoundly revamped format.

Gone are the four-team groups: the competition adopts this season a single pool of 36 clubs, where each team will face eight different opponents — two from each of the four pots. PSG is placed in pot 1, Lille in pot 3 and Lens in pot 4, according to their respective UEFA coefficient.

The worst scenario: Bayern, Arsenal and the heavyweights from pot 2

In the most unfavorable hypothesis, the three French clubs could simultaneously inherit two powerhouses from pot 1 among Real Madrid, FC Barcelona, Arsenal and Bayern Munich. The difficulty would extend into pot 2 with potential clashes against AS Roma, Borussia Dortmund or Manchester United.

In pot 3, Napoli, Leipzig and Villarreal are identified as the most formidable opponents to avoid. Pot 4 is not without pitfalls: Como and Stuttgart are among the teams likely to complicate matters for the French sides.

Summary of the worst possible draw: Bayern Munich, Arsenal, Borussia Dortmund, AS Roma, Villarreal, Leipzig, Como, Stuttgart.

The best scenario: Atlético, Inter and more accessible opponents

Conversely, a favorable draw would see the French clubs face teams deemed more manageable. In pot 1, Atlético Madrid and Inter Milan are considered the least formidable opponents. Pot 2 could deliver Club Bruges and PSV Eindhoven, while pot 3 would offer Shakhtar Donetsk and Villarreal. In pot 4, Sabah FK and Viking FK would constitute significantly more accessible opposition.

Summary of the best possible draw: Atlético Madrid, Inter Milan, Club Bruges, PSV, Shakhtar Donetsk, Villarreal, Sabah FK, Viking FK.

The gap between these two extremes illustrates the full volatility of the new system: in a format where every point counts to qualify directly for the round of 16 or secure a playoff spot, the nature of the draw could weigh heavily on the European ambitions of France’s three representatives.