When the clear favorite of the confrontation wins the first match with a score of 2:0, there is always a temptation to say that the intrigue in this pair has completely disappeared.
However, it is the Parisians, who look much stronger than Real Sociedad, who know like no one else that sometimes even a 4:0 advantage is not enough to advance.
After all, their Spanish opponents have already surprised twice by making it to the Champions League and winning their group, so let’s not be so categorical about their prospects.
In this article, we propose to consider how the opponents approached the head-to-head confrontation, and what awaits them in its second series.
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Real Sociedad’s path to the 1/8 Champions League
There have been glorious times in the history of the club from San Sebastian, but overall it cannot be called great, and its main successes were in the 80s of the last century.
It is all the more surprising that last season he managed to become fourth in Example, jumping on the championship train.
If anyone thought that this was a random phenomenon, then the Basques have an argument – in a fairly solid Quartet D with Inter, Benfica and Salzburg, they took first place.
True, they scored the same number of points as the Milanese – 12, but were ahead of them in additional indicators.
At the same time, Real Sociedad had no defeats in the group, and all points lost were due to draws.
The World Cup was scheduled twice with Inter (1:1 at home, 0:0 away, in the first and last rounds), and once again as a gift to Salzburg in front of their home stands, when it was already clear that there was no place in the playoffs will get away.
However, fans of lively football are unlikely to like the Basque game – in six matches the goal difference looks very modest, only 7:2.
Particular attention is paid to the reliable defense – in the first match, PSG scored as much as two and a half solid opponents during the entire group stage!
The quartet usually wins on principle in order to get to a weaker opponent. However, in the case of Real Sociedad, this principle did not work – they faced PSG, who were fooling around in their group.
Paris Saint-Germain’s path to the 1/8 Champions League
At certain moments, it seemed that PSG would grow to the level of stable triumphs in the main European tournament, and in France would no longer meet worthy resistance.
The Parisians made it into this Champions League draw as champions of Ligue 1, but with a handicap of only one point over silver Lens, which, you see, is not impressive.
In Group F, the “Red-Blues” also did not shine – only 8 points and second place, and third Milan lost and went to the League of Legends only based on additional indicators.
The quartet, however, was surprisingly difficult: all representatives were from the top 5 championships.
Oddly enough, it was easiest with the leader: the Parisians confidently defeated Borussia Dortmund at home – 2:0, and took away a draw from Dortmund – 1:1.
Exchanged home victories with Milan (in Paris – 3:0, which ensured second place), but Newcastle, which came last, somehow managed to snag only one point – 1:1 at the Parc des Princes.
The goal difference of 9:8 suggests that at this level both the attack and defense of PSG are working at three plus.
Without winning the quartet, such insecure Parisians could have received a very serious opponent, but in the end they faced a team that would be more correctly considered a dark horse than a serious contender for great success.
Odds for the match Real Sociedad – Paris Saint-Germain
The struggle on three fronts did not benefit the team from San Sebastian – it reached the semi-finals of the Cup, where it can still put the squeeze on Mallorca for a ticket to the final, but in Example it is only fighting for a pass to the Conference League, and then with vague prospects.
True, by the time they return to the Champions League, the cup issue will be resolved one way or another, but at the same time, there are chances that the Basques have already mentally said goodbye to the European Cup – with the effectiveness of their attacks, it will be very difficult to win back after 2:0.
Parisians go to San Sebastian as a holiday. They have nothing to worry about: they have no problems in League 1 this season – they are first with a gap of more than ten points from their closest pursuer.
In the French Cup, PSG made it to the quarterfinals, but you don’t have to think about that for now – the game against strong Nice will take place after the trip to Spain.
Finally, the French have a solid 2:0 advantage after the home match – despite the fact that they were considered favorites even without it.
Bookmakers, however, do not believe that the Basques will give up in front of their own fans:
- 2.62 for the home team’s victory – it does not guarantee anything for Real Sociedad, but it looks like the most likely outcome;
- 3.4 for a draw;
- 2.72 on the fact that the Parisians will not let things take its course and will beat the Spaniards away as well.
Actually, Real Sociedad’s chances are precisely the relaxation of the guests and the tireless support of passionate Basque fans.
However, PSG is already in a position where only they themselves can give a ticket to the quarterfinals of the Champions League.
