Manchester United face PSG examination as English rivals all draw German opposition
PARIS ST Germain coach Thomas Tuchel says he is ready for the “great test” of facing Manchester United in the last 16 of the Champions League.
Being paired against the runaway Ligue 1 leaders PSG was perhaps not the kindest outcome for which under-pressure United manager Jose Mourinho would have been hoping.
While the Red Devils were handed the most testing of fixtures, the other English teams will all face German clubs following yesterday’s draw for the knockout stages.
Premier League leaders Liverpool, who beat United
3-1 on Sunday, tackle German side Bayern Munich, while Manchester City were paired against Schalke.
Tottenham, who qualified as runners-up in their group behind Barcelona, will take on current Bundesliga leaders Borussia Dortmund, for whom England teenage forward Jadon Sancho continues to impress.
It is, however, United’s clash with the French side, unbeaten in their own domestic division this season with 44 points from 16 league games, which is the pick of the ties.
United have never faced PSG before, but could come up against former midfielder Round of 16 Angel Di Maria in their squad, as well as Neymar, the world’s most expensive player, and France World Cup winner Kylian Mbappe.
PSG scored 17 goals in Group C to qualify ahead of Liverpool, but were beaten 3-2 at Anfield during September.
The German coach maintains there will be no sense of complacency when they head back to England, the first leg set for February 12, with the game in Paris on March 6.
“We have the quality to win at Old Trafford. I’m confident for my team, but it’s a great test, a challenge,” Tuchel said as he prepared his side to face Orleans in the league.
“If I were a spectator, I would watch this game on television.
“The round of 16 is always tough. I do not think we are favourites.”
Spurs host Dortmund on February 13, and will play in Germany on March 5.
Bayern Munich, meanwhile, have shown form in Europe, winning Group E, despite their lack of consistency in the Bundesliga, where they are third and trail Dortmund by nine points.
Schalke are down in 13th place, and came through Group D as runners-up.
Manchester City will be away in the first leg on February 20 and at home on March 12.
Bayern sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic believes the Germans face “the team of the hour” in Liverpool.
“These are the challenges that you look forward to as a player and that you have to overcome,” he said.
The first leg is set for Anfield on February 19 and the return fixture will be in the final set of games on March 13.
The Video Assistant Referee system will be in place for the Champions League knockout stages.
Elsewhere in Monday’s draw, Atletico Madrid will take on Serie A leaders Juventus, Lyon play Barcelona, Roma face Porto, while Dutch club Ajax are set to meet holders Real Madrid.
Schalke 04 v .............. Atletico Madrid v Juventus ....................
v PSG ..................... v Borussia Dortmund ......... Lyon v Barcelona ........................................... Roma v FC Porto ...................................... Ajax v Real Madrid .................................. Liverpool v Bayern Munich ....................
Ties to be played February 12-13 & February 19-20 and March 5-6 & March 12-13