PSG’s Champions League Odds Remain Unchanged After Signing Mauro Icardi, Keeping Neymar
- French giants struggle for impact in UCL
- Man City, Barca, Liverpool and Real Madrid all more favored
- Three successive last 16 exits for PSG
Only one French club has won the Champions League. And it is not Paris Saint-Germain.
For all their Qatari-funded wealth, Ligue1’s leading club have an unimpressive record in Europe’s leading competition, particularly recently.
So the analysts remained unimpressed when they retained the services of superstar Neymar this week and also landed Argentine international striker Mauro Icardi on loan from Internazionale.
UCL 2019-20 Odds
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Manchester City | +350 |
| Barcelona | +500 |
| Liverpool | +650 |
| Real Madrid | +800 |
| Paris Saint-Germain | +900 |
| Juventus | +1000 |
| Bayern Munich | +1200 |
| Atletico Madrid | +2000 |
| Tottenham Hotspur | +2500 |
| Borussia Dortmund | +3300 |
*Odds taken at 2019/09/04
Their Champions League odds remained unmoved at +900 – behind favorites Manchester City, Barcelona, Liverpool and Real Madrid.
Juventus Spending Spree
As outsiders among the elite clubs, Juventus – twice recent finalists – look better value at +1000 after a busy transfer spree and the appointment of a new coach, Maurizio Sarri.
One of Juve’s major summer moves was to land the impressive French midfielder Adrien Rabiot from PSG.
They have also signed Dutch international defender Mattijs de Ligt, full-back Danilo and Welsh midfielder Aaron Ramsey – as well as still having Cristiano Ronaldo.
However, the leading two teams in the market both look stronger than ever and have particular motivation in the competition this season.
Barcelona, after spending massively to sign Antoine Griezmann and Frenkie de Jong, are determined to put things right after their stunning exit against eventual winners Liverpool in last season’s semifinal.
Pep Guardiola’s City team have strengthened powerfully in defense to avoid shipping the large number goals which have cost them early exits from the knockout stage in the past three seasons.
https://twitter.com/PrezFootball/status/1169218251274031104?s=20
Barcelona, after spending massively to sign Antoine Griezmann and Frenkie de Jong, are determined to put things right after their stunning exit against eventual winners Liverpool in last season’s semifinal.
The only French winners of the Champions League were Marseille in 1992-93. No French side won the competition in its previous format as the European Cup.
PSG have been knocked out at the last 16 stages in each of the past three seasons. Prior to that, they were quarterfinalists for four successive seasons.
Although Neymar did not move, he is said to remain unsettled. Meanwhile, new signing Icardi has a reputation for creating controversy. Both matters help explain why PSG’s odds remained static.
Semifinals Back in 1994-95
They were beaten semifinalists in 1994-95 when they lost to Bayern Munich.
But despite the huge financial backing which has landed them star performers in recent years such the Brazilian Neymar and the French World Cup-winning forward Kylian Mbappe, they have been unable to match their ambitions.
Still seeking its first crown, Thomas Tuchel's PSG has been drawn with Real Madrid, Galatasaray and Club Brugge in Group A of the 2019/20 Champions League and the manager expects his team to play before big atmospheres. More below👇https://t.co/rzB2vJWIhp
— Sportstar (@sportstarweb) August 30, 2019
They have won six straight league titles but the French domestic set-up is much weaker than those in the powerhouse nations of England, Spain, Germany and Italy.
PSG were eliminated by Manchester United in last season’s round of 16 despite winning 2-0 in the first leg at Old Trafford.
Their easy dominance at home seems to catch them out when they step up to take on the might of the leading nations in European competition.
PSG was eliminated by Manchester United in last season’s round of 16 despite winning 2-0 in the first leg at Old Trafford.
In dramatic circumstances, they lost 3-1 at home to exit on away goals thanks to an added-time penalty strike from United’s Marcus Rashford.
It was an outcome which encapsulated PSG’s inability to make an impact in the competition.
Two Defensive Signings
This summer they signed center-back Abdou Diallo from Borussia Dortmund for $45 million and defensive midfielder Idrissa Gueye from Everton for $43 million.
Neymar appeared set for a switch to either his former club Barcelona or Real Madrid but there was no deal before Monday’s deadline day.
John Dillon is a leading member of the UK's sporting media, having spent three decades as a national newspaper soccer and sports writer, broadcaster and author. He has covered five World Cups, six European Championships and was Chief Sports Writer at the Daily Express for 14 years.
