Sabasports Match Preview
UEFA Champions League: Paris Saint-Germain vs Real Sociedad
Kickoff Time: 2024-02-15 04:00(HKT)
Source:REUTERS/STEPHANIE LECOCQ
Paris Saint-Germain emerged victorious with a 3-1 home win over Lille In the French Ligue 1 last weekend. Their unbeaten streak now extends to 16 games across all competitions, showcasing their excellent form. While winning the Ligue 1 championship has always been the minimum expectation for Paris Saint-Germain due to their strong squad, they are now aiming to make a breakthrough in the UEFA Champions League. To bolster their chances in the Champions League, Paris Saint-Germain appointed Luis Enrique, the former coach of Barcelona, as their head coach this season. Under Enrique’s guidance, they primarily employ a 4-3-3 formation and have transitioned into a possession-focused style of play. Notably, Paris Saint-Germain rank second in possession rate in the Champions League, only behind Manchester City. Enrique’s tactical approach revolves around forcing opponents to expend energy through passing and control, while also seeking opportunities to create breakthroughs.
Real Sociedad suffered a 0-1 home defeat to Osasuna In last weekend’s La Liga match, extending their win-less streak to four games across all competitions. They are currently going through a sluggish period. However, Real Sociedad’s performance in this season’s UEFA Champions League has been impressive. They achieved an unbeaten record of three wins and three draws in the group stage, securing first place in their group ahead of teams like Inter. Real Sociedad emerged as the surprise winners of their group, defying expectations. As they progress in the Champions League, Real Sociedad will face Paris Saint-Germain, a formidable opponent and one of the strongest teams in the competition. Real Sociedad’s tactical approach is quite pragmatic, often employing a relatively balanced 4-3-3 formation. Their forwards often drop deep to receive the ball, making it challenging for opponents to mark them effectively. When launching attacks, players like Takefusa Kubo utilize their individual skills to create offensive space and provide support to their teammates.
Indeed, there is a significant disparity in the financial value of the two’s lineups. Paris Saint-Germain boast a squad worth around 1.07 billion euros, while Real Sociedad are valued at approximately 431 million euros, less than half of their opponents’ worth. This discrepancy highlights the difference in the overall strength of them. Furthermore, considering the recent performances of both teams, Paris Saint-Germain have been in excellent form, while Real Sociedad has struggled. Given these factors, it is reasonable to expect Paris Saint-Germain, with their strength and current form, to emerge as the favorites and potentially secure victory in this encounter.
Paris Saint-Germain’s Last 5 Games: WWWDW
24-02-11 Paris Saint-Germain 3-1 Lille
24-02-08 Paris Saint-Germain 3-1 Brest
24-02-03 Strasbourg 1-2 Paris Saint-Germain
24-01-29 Paris Saint-Germain 2-2 Brest
24-01-21 Orleans 1-4 Paris Saint-Germain
Real Sociedad’s Last 5 Games: LDDDW
24-02-10 Real Sociedad 0-1 Osasuna
24-02-07 Mallorca 0-0 Real Sociedad
24-02-04 Girona 0-0 Real Sociedad
24-01-27 Real Sociedad 0-0 Rayo Vallecano
24-01-24 Celta Vigo 1-2 Real Sociedad
Head To Head Record:
None
Prediction: Paris Saint-Germain to win