Highlights: PSG faces Real Sociedad on Wednesday February 14 in the round of 16 first leg of the Champions League. This will be a first step not to be missed for Luis Enrique's players. PSG will be able to count on the presence of its star Kylian Mbappé. In front of their home crowd, Paris will face the 7th in Liga, decimated by injuries to six players: Fernandez, Odriozola, Becker, Munoz, Tierney, Elustondo.

PSG faces Real Sociedad on Wednesday February 14 in the round of 16 first leg of the Champions League. This will be a first step not to be missed for Luis Enrique's players.

Round of 16 first leg

Champions League: first shock of the season for PSG against Real Sociedad

PSG faces Real Sociedad on Wednesday February 14 in the round of 16 first leg of the Champions League. This will be a first step not to be missed for Luis Enrique's players.

Paris Saint-Germain striker Kylian Mbappé celebrates opening the score against Reims at the Stade Auguste-Delaune in Reims, northern France, on November 11, 2023. AFP - FRANCOIS NASCIMBENI

By: Farid Achache Follow

Close to elimination in the group stage by narrowly qualifying on the last day behind Dortmund, Luis Enrique's men were lucky in the draw. The capital club must take advantage at the Parc des Princes against Real Sociedad, before the return scheduled for March 5 in Spain. Good news: PSG will be able to count on the presence of its star

Kylian Mbappé

. He was preserved against Lille last Saturday, after being hit in the ankle during the round of 16 of the Coupe de France against Stade Brestois.

At this stage of the competition, the statistics are in favor of PSG. Under the Qatari era, the Parisians have never lost against so-called weaker teams. In front of their home crowd, Paris will face the 7th in Liga, decimated by injuries to six players: Fernandez, Odriozola, Becker, Munoz, Tierney, Elustondo. Captain Mikel Oyarzabal, present in the group, is uncertain.

Take the ball as quickly as possible and don't lose it

“

It’s a team that uses very strong pressing, that likes to have the ball, to exert counter-pressing, and they do it very well

,” PSG midfielder Fabian Ruiz still detailed at a press conference. “

It's very simple: you have to take the ball from them as quickly as possible and you have to try not to lose it. Let's not forget that Real is one of the teams that has conceded the fewest goals

,” commented coach Luis Enrique.

After a good group stage, Real Sociedad experienced its first qualification in the round of 16 in 20 years. For its first participation in the C1 group stage since 2013, the “Txuri-urdin” (white-blue) struck a big blow by finishing at the top of their group ahead of Inter, finalist in 2023, and Benfica, quarter. of finalist. “

It’s a balanced club: they have a lot of players trained at the club and recruit well. They have had very good seasons and have been playing very good football for six years and even before

,” said Luis Enrique. “

And I believe they are reaping the fruits of this good work

,” he added.

“

The team has confidence. The supporters have confidence. We also see that the opinions of people from the outside have changed. “To think that we can eliminate a team like PSG shows that we are doing things well at the club

,” explained captain Mikel Oyarzabal on Canal+. Except that Imanol Alguacil's men have just gone four consecutive matches without a victory and without managing to score a single goal.

Champions League: first shock of the season for PSG against Real Sociedad

Champions League: first shock of the season for PSG against Real Sociedad

Take the ball as quickly as possible and don't lose it

You may like

Trends 24h

Latest