Paris vs Real Sociedad Champions League round of 16 first leg preview: Where to watch, kick-off time, possible line-ups

UEFA REPORTS:

What do you need to know?

This is Paris’s first encounter with Real Sociedad, but they have plenty of players with Spanish Liga experience, and coach Luis Enrique has taken on the San Sebastian club many times as Celta and Barcelona boss: his record in ten domestic encounters with La Real is W5 D2 L3. He also coached the likes of Álvaro Odriozola and Brais Méndez during his time in charge of Spain.NYSC Portal

Unlike Paris, Real Sociedad came through the group stage unbeaten (W3 D3), edging out Inter on goal difference to top Group D. They have made it to the knockout phase for the first time in 20 years, since losing 2-0 on aggregate to Lyon in the 2003/04 round of 16, but they came closer to success in Europe’s top club competition when they reached the 1982/83 semi-finals, losing out Hamburg.NYSC Portal

Possible line-ups

Paris: Donnarumma; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Danilo, Hernández; Zaïre-Emery, Vitinha, Fabián Ruiz; Dembélé, Mbappé, Barcola
Misses next match if booked: Hakimi, Hernández, Škriniar, Ugarte

Real Sociedad: Remiro; Galán, Le Normand, Zubeldia, Traoré; Merino, Zubimendi, Méndez; Kubo, Oyarzabal, Barrenetxea
Suspended: Elustondo
Misses next match if booked: Merino, Zubeldia

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Squad changes

Paris
In: Lucas Beraldo
Out: None

Real Sociedad
In: Jon Mikel Aramburu, Sheraldo Becker, Javier Galán
Out: Gaizka Ayesa, Mohamed-Ali Cho, Aihen Muñoz

Form guide

ParisinformationguideNigeria
Form: WWWDWW
Most recent result: Paris 3-1 LOSC Lille, 10/02, French Ligue 1
French Ligue 1 table

Real Sociedad
Form: LDDDWW
Most recent result: Real Sociedad 0-1 Osasuna, 10/02, Spanish La Liga
Spanish La Liga table

Expert predictions

Alex Clementson, Paris reporter
Having qualified for the last 16 of the Champions League for the 12th successive season, Paris are well accustomed to this stage of the competition. They weren’t at their swashbuckling best during the group phase, but with individual talents such as Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé, they have the tools to unlock the tightest of defences. With the club in somewhat of a transitional phase, Luis Enrique’s men may feel liberated in the later rounds.JAMB Result

Alexandra Jonson, Real Sociedad reporter
After a dream group stage Real Sociedad are coming to the round of 16 with high hopes and big dreams, though the most important game of the season could not have come at a more challenging time for La Real. Competing in three competitions has started to take its toll on the team as they have suffered several serious injuries. Another worry is the lack of goals as they come to Paris without having scored in 384 minutes. But no one should count Imanol Alguacil’s side out. The Champions League has been their tournament this season, where they’ve taken their game to another level and showed they can compete with anyone. Against Paris they have nothing to lose, and they will go out with everything they have got.

Paris vs Real Sociedad: Who will win?

Paris

Draw

Real Sociedad

What the coaches say

Luis Enrique, Paris coach: “We are going into this run of matches with a great deal of calm. We are used to facing difficult opponents, and this will be a time where the most important games of the season are played. All the available players are ready, and we are going to create a great atmosphere with the help of our supporters in the hope of being better than Real Sociedad.”JAMB Portal

Imanol Alguacil, Real Sociedad coach: “It’s not just any game; imagine what it means for me, the coach and a former player. To reach the final you have to play against the best and Paris are candidates to reach the final. Imagine the shockwaves that would come with eliminating them? If we manage to play as we did against Inter, who failed to beat us home or away [1-1 and 0-0] then why can’t we do it against Paris?”

Check JAMB Result

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