Real Sociedad will host French side PSG in the second leg of their round of 16 UEFA Champions League (UCL) clash for a place in the quarter-finals.
However, it looks like a tall order for Real Sociedad after their 2-0 defeat in the first leg in Paris in the Spaniard’s first knockout game in the UCL for 20 years. Furthermore, they are not in good form going into the second leg with just a win in four games with three losses in.
The results saw them get knocked out of the Copa Del Rey and also dropping out of La Liga’s top-six race as a result. However, the hosts are unbeaten in 13 games across their last 19 European home games with six wins, seven draws, and six losses, and this gives Real Sociedad’s boss, Imanol Alguacil, hopes of a miracle on Tuesday.
“We know it will be tough, that PSG are one of the contenders to go to the final, but don’t have any doubts that the players and I are all going to go for it. It is going to be difficult because PSG have one of the best squads in the Champions League, and they are one of the favorites, but we played on the same level as them for the first hour there. It came down to little details, gifts by us even, that it finished 2-0 there. Of course, I think we can do it, but we need to do a lot of things well because we are up against a tremendous team. Why not if everything goes our way? Why can’t we turn it around and dream of a magical night in which we eliminate PSG?” Imanol said.
The game at San Sebastian can be difficult for the French side who have just five wins in their last sixteen games against Spanish oppositions in the European competition. A 2-0 deficit isn’t too bad for Sociedad, but certainly, a miracle might be needed.
Daniel Ademiju Idowu