Real Sociedad Vs PSG: Tough Challenges Waiting For Luis Enrique In Front Of La Real

Luis Enrique has also lost three of his five away games against La Real in all competitions (photo: x @PSG_English)

JAKARTA - Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) will continue their journey in the UEFA Champions League against Real Sociedad in the second leg of the last 16, Tuesday 5 March or Wednesday morning WIB. After securing a 2-0 win in the first leg, Luis Enrique's side are currently ahead with an aggregate advantage, but they must remain vigilant against the challenges at home.

PSG, led by star player Kylian Mbappe, have shown strong performance in the competition, and they hope to continue their positive trend. Despite speculation about Mbappé's future at PSG, including interest from other clubs such as Real Madrid and Liverpool, Mbappe is still a key element in the PSG squad.

He has shown his greatness in the Champions League, such as being directly involved in 34 goals in 31 away appearances, becoming the most influential player in the game outside the home since the start of the 2016-17 season.

However, PSG should also pay attention to Real Sociedad's strength. Despite losing in the first leg, Real Sociedad have the potential to put up a tough fight at home to themselves. Although they are only 37 minutes behind in this season's Champions League and have never been left behind in their home game so far, they have to find a way to penetrate PSG's solid defense and score.

Real Sociedad juga harus mengatasi tantangan cedera yang mereka menghadapi. Kehilangan pemain kunci seperti galovaro Odriozola dan Mart banyak Merculanz dapat memberikan dampak besar pada kinerja mereka. Namun, mereka akan bergantung pemain lain dalam squad mereka untuk mengisi kesumbangan tersebut dan memberikan kontribusi maksimal dalam pertandingan ini.

Overall, this match is predicted to be a fierce battle between two teams that have high motivation. PSG will strive to maintain their lead and move on to the next round, while Real Sociedad will work hard to score and change the aggregate score. The home factor can be an advantage for Real Sociedad, and they will try to take full advantage of it.

For PSG, it is important for them to stay focused and not underestimate their opponents, even though they excel with aggregate advantages. They must remain consistent in their performance and avoid mistakes Real Sociedad can take advantage of.

All eyes will be on the Real Arena as both teams prepare to fight for a place in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League. This match has the potential to be spectacular and decisive, with both teams trying hard to achieve their goals in the European club's highest competition.

Ligue 1 champions may hold the lead over the first leg, but their latest record in the stages of this competition and difficulties against opponents from Spain show more challenging matches than some would expect.

PSG have only won two of their 12 away games against the Spanish teams in the Champions League. They have not even recorded a clean sheet in all of these 12 matches, with an average conceded 2.3 goals per game (28 goals in total).

There is also a positive sign for La Real, considering the last time the Spanish side lost in the first leg of the Champions League knockout with a 2+ goal difference but still managed to advance was in the 2016-17 season, when Barcelona eliminated PSG with a 6-5 aggregate in one of the most striking changes to the Champions League results.

Guest coach Luis Enrique has also lost three of his five away games against La Real in all competitions, where the three defeats occurred in La Liga between 2013 and 2016 (twice with Barcelona and once with Celta Vigo).

In a recent note, Luis Enrique has never lost a home game in the Champions League knockout stage, level with Fabio Capello for the most games without losing (eight), but now his attention has to turn to difficult tasks outside the French capital.

The defeat in the first leg at the Parc des Princes ended a streak of seven games without La Real's defeat in European competition, since losing to Roma in March 2023, as the Alguacil team conceded as many goals as they did in the entire group stage this season (also two goals in six matches).