So if you finish outside the top eight and have to face another two matches, does that wreck your chances of Champions League glory?

As PSG spectacularly proved last season, it certainly does not.

In 2024-25, Luis Enrique's side were facing Champions League elimination when 2-0 down at home to Manchester City on matchday seven of the league phase.

But PSG won 4-2 and then defeated Stuttgart 4-1 in another must-win tie to finish 15th in the league. They then crushed fellow Ligue 1 side Brest 10-0 on aggregate in the knockout play-offs, defeated Liverpool on penalties in the last 16, got past Aston Villa and Arsenal in the quarter-finals and semi-finals respectively before thrashing Inter 5-0 in the final.

PSG face Monaco in this season's play-offs with Luis Enrique unconcerned by the extra matches, saying his side can win back-to-back Champions League trophies.

"If any team is ready for the play-offs, it is us," he said.

"We knew it was a possibility that we might have to go into the play-offs. We will have to take the long route, but I don't think anyone else can be considered favourites more than...