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.
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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 use counter-pressing, and they do it very well. », Still detailed PSG midfielder Fabian Ruiz 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 », Estimated 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. Thinking 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.