Brest is next in line as defending champion Paris Saint-Germain tries to stay unbeaten in the French league. PSG leads by 10 points with 15 games to go and remains on course for a yet another Ligue 1 and French Cup double.

Bayern Munich is building for the future by snapping up goalkeeper Jonas Urbig from Cologne. The Bavarian powerhouse announced the transfer late Monday.

Bayern Munich will have to switch their mentality to fit the knockout games of the Champions League, coach Vincent Kompany said on Wednesday, with the Bavarians potentially facing Manchester City in the playoff for a Round of 16 spot.

City will face one of those two European heavyweights in the Champions League next month after scraping through to the play-off round on Wednesday.

Why there are options on the draw… Like your writers, I was initially wondering why there is a draw now for those in the UCL play-offs – i.e. why Man City will play one of Real Madrid / Bayern Munich – but it actually makes sense.

The two European giants know City are struggling but will still have a sense of dread at maybe having to face Pep Guardiola’s men

Bayern Munich still have work to do as they target a top-eight finish in the Champions League. Bayern Munich vs Slovan Bratislava best bets Bayern Munich – 4.5 Asian handicap with bet365

Champions League by reaching the knockout stage playoffs with a 12th-place finish after a 3-1 win over Slovan Bratislava on Wednesday.

Here's the state of play after the conclusion of the first stage of the Champions League: Liverpool, Barcelona, Arsenal, Inter Milan, Atletico Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen, Lille, Aston Villa. Monaco or Brest vs. Paris Saint-Germain or Benfica (for the right to play Liverpool or Barcelona)

RB Leipzig have confirmed the signing of midfielder Xavi Simons from Paris Saint-Germain on a permanent basis. Simons joined Leipzig on loan from PSG in the summer of 2023, immediately after the French side had parted with €6m to re-sign him from PSV Eindhoven,

The biggest target elsewhere is Mathys Tel, who appeared to bid goodbye to Bayern Munich fans on teh pitch last night and is the subject of a bidding war involving Manchester United, Tottenham, Chelsea and, potentially Arsenal. Spurs have also been linked with Yoane Wissa, Noah Okafor, Tyler Dibling and Angel Gomes.