“Luis Enrique dramatically stated, though not completely accurately, that there are many who wish for our demise after barely making it through the Champions League group stages in the fall.”
At the midpoint of this round-of-16 match, Paris Saint-Germain maintains not only survival but also holds the advantage to achieve their first win in the knockout stage in three years. Led by the intensity of Kylian Mbappé and the vigor of a revamped team, PSG, despite its rejection of star players, focuses on supplying the ball to its current top performer.
Mbappé and Bradley Barcola scored the goals to make it 2-0 at the end of an agreeably open first leg, but this was still an ordeal for the French champions as Real Sociedad came to Paris ready to play.
Luis Enrique expressed his thoughts on the match, saying “Oh my mother, what a struggle! The team did great! It was a fierce competition! I don’t even want to imagine the second half,” as he praised the fearless opponents who were ultimately defeated by the skillful Paris attack in the second half when fatigue set in.
During the first 45 minutes, the match presented a captivating juxtaposition. La Real took a bold approach with their aggressive game plan. Meanwhile, Paris executed precise attacks with surgical precision. On one hand, an audacious underdog in what could be considered the most important game in their club’s history. On the other, the rapid brilliance of Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé, overshadowed by the usual Parisian anxieties at this stage of the tournament.
La Real are one of those clubs people love to love, a wholesome collectivist construct, built out of ideas such as community, stability and participation. Here they lined up with nine Spanish nationals, four of those Basques, one an assumed Frenchman from Brittany, the brilliantly named Robin Le Normand, who sounds like a fabled warrior‑hero of the Battle of Hastings.
Paris saw the return of Mbappé, as expected, after recovering from a bruised ankle. The ongoing and uncertain farewell of Mbappé continues to be the main topic of discussion.
New information indicates that those close to Mbappé, or at least certain individuals within his inner circle – which can have varying degrees and complexities – are not convinced by Real Madrid’s recent and overwhelmingly lucrative offer. According to his team, the offer falls short of their own desired and similarly extravagant sum. This ongoing situation highlights the unfortunate narrative of insatiable greed and the treatment of human talent as a commodity. Mbappé is now 25 years old and it is time for him to explore and push his own extraordinary capabilities.
In the Parc, Real Sociedad managed to take possession of the ball near the goal in just 35 seconds. This was followed by André Silva’s first shot of the game, which narrowly missed. These initial moments felt like a chaotic fight in a Western saloon, with the visitors aggressively pushing forward and leaving a dangerous amount of open space behind them in the Paris half.
Mbappé should have scored in the opening minutes when he made a strong run through the center, but he shot too close to Alex Remiro on his own patch of green.
Kubo and Merino worked together to assist Silva in scoring with a header that narrowly missed the post. Kubo was a constant danger in the first half, displaying effortless and cunning dribbling skills. He, like many other players, seems to have realized that despite its intense atmosphere, this competitive game can actually be quite fun. Is it truly acceptable to find enjoyment in playing these matches?
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The team from Paris started to display their organized possession tactics. Le Normand received a yellow card for tripping Dembélé as he skillfully maneuvered past two opposing players towards the penalty area. Despite multiple attempts from both sides, the first half ended with no goals scored.
After halftime, Imanol Alguacil’s team continued with their strategy. They pressed aggressively and kept three defenders at the back. There was concern that Mbappé and Dembélé may not be as dangerous as they appear in highlight reels. However, it became increasingly clear that La Real needed to capitalize on their efforts due to the threat from the opposing team.
As the game entered the 57th minute, Paris gained the upper hand with a corner kick. Dembélé delivered the kick, which was redirected by Marquinhos and then skillfully finished by Mbappé at the back post. He proved to be too fast and nimble for the opposing defenders.
The atmosphere in Paris was lively, with Vitinha expertly maneuvering through the field and finding strategic passing opportunities. Mbappé narrowly missed scoring with a powerful shot from 25 yards out. In the 70th minute, Paris scored their second goal. The play began with a quick transition from left to right, leading to Barcola receiving the ball on the sideline. He then cut inside, creating space for himself and smoothly placing the ball past Remiro.
In a couple of weeks, a full Reale Arena may bring another unexpected turn. However, Paris currently has the advantage in every aspect of this match.
Source: theguardian.com
