After a frustrating draw in Naples in the Champions League, PSG still has its fate in hand to clinch the qualification for the round of 16. With only 5 points in 4 games, and with two games to play, Paris will have to whip and fight until the last day to not live a huge disappointment in Europe. We make a quick point before the last two days of Group C Champions League with Paris, Liverpool, Naples and Belgrade.
Following the draw of PSG in Naples (1-1) at the end of the fourth day of the Champions League, Group C is more open than ever. But Paris did not lose everything in the battle. In this group of death, we now have Liverpool and Naples with 6 points, PSG with 5 points and the Red Star with 4. Infernal! Paris will long regret the penalty equalizer Lorenzo Insigne. Because before this blow of fate, the Parisians, temporarily leaders of the group C, counted 7 points and took advantage at best of the misstep of Liverpool in Belgrade. Neymar and Kylian Mbappé's teammates still have their destiny in their hands to qualify in the knockout stages of the Champions League.
++ The top, the flop and the note of Naples-PSG
And given the balance sheet of Parisians (1 loss, 1 win and 2 draws for 5 points), it is not luxury. Nevertheless, the total tightening of positions in Group C encourages caution, mainly because only four matches remain: Paris-Liverpool and Naples-Belgrade on 28 November, then Belgrade-Paris and Liverpool-Naples on 11 December.
++ The PSG is indignant at the arbitration against Naples
What is certain is that Paris Saint-Germain will qualify for the 8th finals in case of solid cardboard. Nevertheless, the PSG must garner more points than Napoli to be able to finish ahead of the Italians, because Naples has scored more goals at the Parc des Princes (2) than the PSG has registered at Stadio San Paolo (1).
Belgrade, the big unknown
Which brings us to the next opponent of PSG: Liverpool. Jurgen Klopp's Reds delivered an outrageous performance of a Champions League finalist by falling to Belgrade's Red Star Stadium (2-0). The time is not yet worrying among the Reds. For a win with two goals difference to Anfield against Napoli would propel Liverpool, whatever happens, in the round of 16.
Nevertheless, Liverpool has a golden opportunity to redeem himself from his Serbian nightmare on Tuesday in three weeks, at the Parc des Princes. In case of victory in Paris, Liverpool would hit a huge blow on the heads of Parisians. In this case, the PSG would be sentenced to finish the group stage behind Liverpool, and hope a misstep from Naples against Belgrade to maintain a tiny hope of qualification.
Currently the last of the group with 4 points, the Red Star of Belgrade represents the great unknown of this equation with 4 variables. Able to slap Liverpool 2-0 two weeks after taking the water at Anfield (4-0), Belgrade can even cherish the dream of reaching the knockout stage of the Champions League. Which would be a huge feat in view of the opposition. Certainties are rare and the calculations of apothecaries will be numerous by the time of the double confrontations. We can not wait to be there !