Paris Saint-Germain secures 2-0 victory against Real Sociedad in Champions League

Paris Saint-Germain defeats Real Sociedad 2-0 in the first leg of the round of 16, Champions League

Paris Saint-Germain defeated Real Sociedad 2-0 in the first leg of the round of 16 on Tuesday. Kylian Mbappé scored another goal in the Champions League, while newcomer Bradley Barcola scored his first goal in the league.

After signing a 180 million ($193 million) agreement with PSG in 2017, the 25-year-old Mbappé has scored a club record 243 goals. Arriving from Lyon in a transfer of a cool 50 million euros ($54 million), the 21-year-old Barcola is beginning to make an impression with his technique and composure.

Barcola said, “Tonight, I’m really happy.” “It fulfills a childhood dream.” Nevertheless, until Mbappé’s goal in the 58th minute, Sociedad controlled the game for extended periods of time despite losing important players due to injuries.

Marquinhos’ header on Ousmane Dembélé’s corner from the right gave the breakthrough, and Mbappé was free to volley in the rebound when he was unmarked at the back post. It’s at that point in the game that we lose control, according to Sociedad coach Imanol Alguacil. “We cannot permit that to occur.”

A few minutes later, goalkeeper Álex Remiro deflected Mbappé’s effort from the edge of the penalty area against the crossbar. Coach Luis Enrique jumped off the bench to cheer as fast-moving Barcola broke down the left, easily slipped past right defender Hamari Traoré, and poked the ball in, defeating Remiro once again.

In all competitions, Sociedad failed to score in a game for the sixth consecutive game.

“We scored throughout crucial junctures in the match. We have a strong lead,” Mbappé said to Canal Plus, a broadcaster. “A clean sheet is crucial for us; we’ve been searching for it in the Champions League, even though Sociedad hasn’t been scoring many goals lately.”

The fact that Mbappé played the whole game was also a comfort. Since he was forced to sit out the French league match on Saturday,  due to a left ankle injury. However, he seemed unaffected as he quickly grabbed Dembelé’s ball and forced a stop in the sixth minute.

Nevertheless, PSG’s energy abruptly decreased after that opportunity. Despite the absence of left defender Kieran Tierney and goal-scoring midfielder Mikel Oyarzabal for Alguacil, Sociedad’s intense and well-organized high pressing forced PSG to respond at a quiet Parc des Princes.

Just before halftime, Mikel Merino, the captain, hit the crossbar with an incredible dipping effort from 25 meters out after André Silva had flicked a header wide.

It’s clear that throughout the first half, we struggled to break free from their pressuring game. We were eight (players) against six, so we had to have showed more spirit to win,” Mbappé said. They’ll attack harder, the return leg will be more open, and we’ll have more room. I believe we will score there if we can get a space longer than forty meters.

Source: AP