UEFA Champions League 2018-19: Analysis of the clubs by domestic leagues

Ligue 1

Paris Saint-Germain are still chasing the elusive European success

Teams: Paris Saint-Germain, Monaco, Olympique Lyon

Performance in 2017-2018:

Last year, PSG made big money moves, signing the likes of Neymar from Barcelona and Kylian Mbappe from rivals Monaco. They were expected to go all the way in the competition. But a Neymar injury against Marseille saw them go down to eventual champions Real Madrid in the round of 16. The fact that they still won the Ligue 1 and 2 domestic cups was not enough as Unai Emery departed for Arsenal.

Monaco caused an uproar reaching the semi-finals of the 2016-17 edition but having lost all their key players over the course of two seasons to other rivals, they went out of the group stage in 2017-18.

Lyon enjoyed a good run throughout the season with Fekir, Depay and Diaz and made their return to Champions League by finishing ahead of rivals Marseille.

Predictions for 2018-19:

PSG have a new boss in Thomas Tuchel and will be looking to go past their performances of earlier seasons and go deep in the tournament. Neymar, Cavani and Mbappe should be enough in getting out of the group stage against Liverpool and Napoli and propel them even further.

Monaco, look a squad even further depleted and will likely go down to the Europa League this season with Dortmund and Atletico as their group stage competitions.

Lyon will be fortunate as they have been given an opportunity to progress to the Knockout stages with Hoffenheim and Shakhtar alongside mammoths Manchester City. Should they make it out of their group, they will prove a tough competition for anyone and might surprise a few like Roma did the season before.