Paris Saint-Germain now knows the schedule awaiting them for the start of their new Champions League campaign. Present in Monaco for the draw, Nasser Al-Khelaïfi made no secret of his excitement—particularly regarding the reunion with FC Barcelona—as reported by Le Parisien.
Al-Khelaïfi: “We are very excited to play this match”
“Barcelona is one of the best teams in the world, a historic club. We have great respect for Barça. It’s a huge match for them, for us, for the fans, and for the whole world. We are very excited to play this match.”
It is a fixture that already promises to be one of the highlights of the first half of the season. PSG and Barcelona know each other particularly well on the European stage; according to Opta, the two clubs have faced each other 14 times in the Champions League since the arrival of QSI. For Paris, this reunion immediately offers a prestigious clash and a chance to measure their ambitions against one of the continent’s heavyweights.
Al-Khelaïfi: “We have to take it step by step until the end”
“It’s the Champions League, the best competition in the world. You have to be ready match by match to go all the way. It’s wonderful to be back; everyone is motivated. We’re really looking forward to it. It’s too early to talk about winning three in a row. We have to take it step by step until the end.”
The enthusiasm is evident, but the Parisian president refuses to look too far ahead just yet. The draw promises a particularly tough league phase, featuring—alongside FC Barcelona—Manchester City, AS Roma, Aston Villa, Galatasaray, Villarreal, Slovan Bratislava, and Como. It is a packed schedule that should quickly set the tone for Paris Saint-Germain’s European season and deliver several high-level clashes in the opening months.
Al-Khelaïfi: “The club will make an official announcement if anything happens”
“Barcola?” “The club will make an official announcement if anything happens.”
Nasser Al-Khelaïfi was, however, far more reserved when discussing Bradley Barcola, who has been linked to Liverpool. This deliberately brief response stood in stark contrast to his enthusiasm regarding the Champions League. With the transfer window closing in a few days, PSG is sticking to its usual stance: no announcements until a potential move is advanced enough to be made official.
