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Champions LeagueSeptember 15, 2026

Defending champions PSG, Mourinho's Madrid want to play against

Defending champions PSG, Mourinho's Madrid want to survive against English rivals

Defending champions PSG, Mourinho's Madrid want to play against

According to News.

Background

PSG, as defending Champions League champions, are under pressure to prove their dominance, while Real Madrid also have high expectations under Jose Mourinho's management. Both teams will have to compete against strong English and German rivals to underline their title ambitions.

Why this is important

The upcoming UEFA Champions League group stage is crucial for PSG and Real Madrid, both of whom have enjoyed great success in the competition in the past. Given the strong financial possibilities of the English clubs, the defending champions have to prove that they can also keep up in terms of sport. Performances at this stage could be crucial to both teams' ambitions to win the title again.

Key findings

  • Defending champions PSG, Mourinho's Madrid want against.
  • Defending champions PSG, Mourinho's Madrid want to survive against English rivals.
  • Title holder PSG, Mourinho's Madrid aim to resist big-spending English rivals in Champions League - Yahoo Sports.
The group stage of the UEFA Champions League is just around the corner and the big European clubs are preparing for the upcoming tasks in the most important club competition in the world. While the English clubs boast enormous financial opportunities this season, the defending champions Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Real Madrid, who have also benefited from financial strength in the past, now have to prove the sporting superiority of their rivals on the pitch. The French PSG, who won the Champions League last season, will be competing in a group this season with AC Milan, Newcastle FC and Borussia Dortmund. The Madrilenians were drawn into Group C with FC Porto, Bayer 04 Leverkusen and FC Schalke 04. Real Madrid coach José Mourinho expects the two German clubs in particular to perform very well this season. "I believe that the German teams will be very strong this season. Leverkusen has a very strong squad and plays very good football. FC Schalke will also do better this season than last season," Mourinho said in an interview with Italy's Gazzetta dello Sport. Mourinho also expects the English team to put in a strong performance in the Champions League this season. "The English clubs are always very strong, especially at home. I expect them to go far this season too," said the Real Madrid coach. PSG has to arm itself especially against the English clubs this season. The Parisians will play against Newcastle FC in the group stage this season and will face teams like Arsenal or Manchester City in possible knockout rounds. PSG coach Luis Enrique sees the English clubs as favorites for the title this season. "The English clubs have an incredible squad with many world-class players. They are the favorites this season but we will try everything to beat them," Enrique said in an interview with Spanish newspaper Marca. The top French and Spanish clubs will have to put everything on the pitch this season to break the dominance of the English clubs and get back to the top of European football.

What happens next

PSG will face AC Milan, FC Newcastle and Borussia Dortmund in a challenging group, while Real Madrid will face FC Porto, Bayer 04 Leverkusen and FC Schalke 04. José Mourinho has already highlighted the strength of the German teams, which increases the challenges for both clubs. The results in the first few games will be crucial in setting the direction for the rest of the Champions League season.

Frequently asked questions

What is the group stage of the UEFA Champions League?

The group stage of the UEFA Champions League is the first part of the most important club competition in which European clubs compete against each other.

Who won the Champions League last season?

The defending champions Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) won the Champions League last season.

Why are German clubs expected to be strong?

José Mourinho, the Real Madrid coach, has confirmed that he expects the German teams, particularly Bayer 04 Leverkusen and FC Schalke, to perform very strongly this season.

Which teams are playing in PSG's group?

PSG game elt this season in a group with AC Milan, FC Newcastle and Borussia Dortmund.

What challenges do PSG and Real Madrid face this season?

PSG and Real Madrid have to assert themselves against the financially strong English clubs and the strong German teams.

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Häufig gestellte Fragen

What is the UEFA Champions League group stage?
The group stage of the UEFA Champions League is the first part of the premier club competition in which European clubs compete against each other.
Who won the Champions League last season?
Defending champions Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) won the Champions League last season.
Why are German clubs expected to be strong?
Real Madrid coach José Mourinho has confirmed that he expects German teams, particularly Bayer 04 Leverkusen and FC Schalke, to perform very well this season.
Which teams play in PSG's group?
PSG is playing in a group this season with AC Milan, Newcastle FC and Borussia Dortmund.
What challenges do PSG and Real Madrid face this season?
PSG and Real Madrid have to assert themselves against the financially strong English clubs and the strong German teams.
What happened in this story?
Defending champions PSG, Mourinho's Madrid want to play against summarizes the main development covered in this report.
Who confirmed this news?
See the source attribution in the article for where this report was first published or corroborated.