@FPLReaction Reacts to the Champions League Draw

In this article our in-house expert @FPLReaction reacts to the Champions League draw. He takes a look through each fixture, and touches upon his initial thoughts on both the matches and the assets involved, whilst also highlighting future plans.

Understanding how experts react to the draw can be extremely helpful. Seeing what @FPLReaction is thinking and how he tends to navigate the rounds ahead could help bring clarity to team picks, captaincy or even chip plans.

Brest v PSG

I think this is a fixture we need to look at to target. A French side playing another French side is far from ideal. But, weighing up their quality against each other, it seems like a huge distance between them.

Brest may have impressed in parts, but I think you have to fully back PSG in this one. I would personally be looking at defender Achraf Hakimi and midfielder Bradley Barcola. I don’t mind tripling up on them either.

Club Brugge v Atalanta

This is another fixture with a clear favourite. Whilst Club Brugge have had their moments, Atalanta should be far the superior side in this one.

As well as being favourites, the Italian side have some fantastically priced assets. I couldn’t think of a better side to invest in when taking into everything into account. Striker Mateo Retegui and Davide Zappacosta are among the assets I like. Ademola is injured at the time of writing, which is a huge shame considering he is a midfielder.

Manchester City v Real Madrid

I think if forced I’d back Real Madrid here. It’s obviously a massive clash, and it’s tough to predict the end result. However, because both sides are extremely ropey defensively, so I would be expecting lots of goals.

I also don’t think budget will be much of an issue for UCL Fantasy managers in the weeks ahead. So, bringing in the likes of strikers Erling Haaland and Vinicius Junior, and midfielder Jude Bellingham could be viable picks.

Juventus v PSV

This is a tough one personally. I think either side could come out as winners in this one. I would originally have had Juventus down as favourites, but after watching them both play during the campaign, I would say it’s literally 50/50.

They both have nicely priced cheap defensive assets, so backing either Juventus goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio or PSV Olivier Boscagli could be good. You can’t rule out PSV midfielder Malik Tillman either, he has been brilliant.

Monaco v Benfica

This is an odd one for me. I expect both Monaco and Benfica to get a result at home, but also wouldn’t be surprised if either side beat the other at home. Both sides have some interesting options defensively, with Monaco centre-back Mohammed Salisu coming in nice and cheap.

I think it’s the Monaco attackers that interest me the most here. Eliesse Ben Seghir and Maghnes Akliouche are both extremely cheap but have also impressed me a lot. If you want to go heavy on premiums, it’s these guys that can help enable them.

Dortmund v Sporting

I mean straight away, you have consider Dortmund striker Serhou Guirassy and Sporting striker Viktor Gyokeres. Both take penalties for their sides and both have been very good assets overall this season. The latter has had fitness issues recently so he could be risky.

Outside of the strikers, it’s Dortmund who have more exciting midfielders, especially if Sporting’ Goncalo Ramos is still out. The likes of Karim Adeyemi and Jamie Gittens catch they eye. Based on their defence lately I’m not sure I’d want to go there.

Celtic v Bayern

I think it will be template to max out on Bayern assets in this one. Celtic have been hit and miss for most of the campaign, and although the Bavarians haven’t been relentless, I expect they will be in this one.

Obviously Bayern’ Harry Kane is a huge standout. The biggest decision could be between midfielders Jamal Musiala, Michael Olise or both. But, I think UCL Fantasy managers should also have a player like centre-back Kim Min-Jae.

Feyenoord v Milan

Originally, I thought Milan would walk this, or at least if you paired them up prior to this season that would be the case. However, Feyenoord have surprised me considerably so far.

The biggest issue here is the fact Milan may just be about to sign Feyenoord’ biggest goal threat, Santiago Gimenez. If that is the case then Milan full-back Theo Hernandez could become more appealing. My first reaction to this tie though was that Milan Christian Pulisic could be a brilliant option.