Focus on Manchester United
Paris Saint-Germain will head to Old Trafford for the first leg of their UEFA Champions League Round of 16 tie on 12 February with the return at the Parc des Princes on 6 March. Let's take a look at the English club...
At UEFA HQ in Switzerland on Monday, former Paris Saint-Germain player Laura Georges drew the capital club against Manchester United in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16. Currently sixth in the Premier League - 19 points behind leaders Liverpool - Jose Mourinho's men finished runners-up in their group behind Juventus. Nonetheless, Thiago Silva is wary of his team's future opponents: "They're a team we have to respect. They are in the Last 16, they deserve their place just as we do."
United had a Jekyll-and-Hyde group stage. Held to a draw in Valencia, they won in Turin a month later. They qualified with ten points thanks to three wins and a draw from their six games. Paris Saint-Germain, by contrast, finished top of their group with 11 points. "The team played two great games against Liverpool and Belgrade," said coach Thomas Tuchel. "The players gained a lot of confidence. We're certain we can match these teams."
The Rouge-et-Bleu have lost just one of their last six knockout games against English opponents in the Champions League; Manchester United, by contrast, have not lost to a French side in European competition since 2005. This will be the duo's first meeting in the Champions League.
"It's important for the club, it'll be the first time we meet them," said the Paris captain. Coach Tuchel is also taking the Red Devils seriously: "Manchester United have a lot of experience in this competition, they have won it several times. Playing at Old Trafford is always very difficult. In any case, if I were a fan, I would watch this game! Paris favourites? I don't think so. We lack experience in the quarter-finals, the semi-finals and the final. We have to respect the clubs that have that experience, like Manchester United. We're capable of winning at Old Trafford. It's a great challenge, but I have confidence in my team. We have to have respect fo them, but have confidence in ourselves. I'm convinced we can win against them."
Five clubs have worn the colours of both clubs: Ray Wilkins, David Beckham, Gabriel Heinze, Angel Di Maria and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.