The crucial second legs in the round of 16 of the Champions League will be staged this week, with one of the most interesting ties being staged in Spain. It is advantage PSG at the halfway stage, but their away record could give confidence to Real Sociedad ahead of this showdown on Tuesday.
PSG will have the upper-hand ahead of this second leg showdown in the Champions League this week. The Parisians were in excellent form in the first leg on Valentine’s Day, as they landed a 2-0 home win. They were made to wait to open the scoring, with their opening effort being netted by Kylian Mbappe in the 58th minute. The second was scored by Bradley Barcola with just 20 minutes remaining.
Sociedad let that fixture get away from them slightly, as they rarely threatened in the attacking third throughout the match. That was highlighted by the fact that they failed to register a single shot on target in 90 minutes. However, it should be a different story for the Spanish side back in front of their home fans this week.
PSG have a poor record away from home against Spanish opposition, as they have recorded just two wins in their last 12 visits. They have also suffered defeats in six of their last eight visitors, with just one win being recorded over that period. Defensively, PSG will have questions to answer this week after failing to keep a clean sheet in their last 12 away matches in Spain, conceding an average of 2.3 goals per game.
Sociedad have been consistent throughout the Champions League to this point. That is echoed by the fact that they have only trailed for 37 minutes in the competition. At home, they haven’t gone behind in any match that they have played this term. In fact, only Arsenal and Real Madrid have trailed for fewer minutes than Sociedad in the competition this term.
Sociedad will be playing their second match against PSG this week. However, their previous home match in the knockout stage of the Champions League was also played against French opposition. But, on that occasion they were beaten at home and on the road by Lyon in February 2004.
Sociedad will be without a number of key stars this week. Ander Barrenetxea, Alvaro Odriozola, and Martin Merquelanz are all out until the end of March. Meanwhile, Artiz Elustondo and Carlos Fernandez are doubts for this showdown.
PSG will welcome back Kylian Mbappe this week after the Frenchman was rested against Monaco over the weekend. However, Milan Skriniar, Marquinhos, and Danilo Pereira are all out.
PSG’s defensive record in Spain is massive concern this weekend, as they have averaged 2.3 goals against per game in the competition. It could also be worth noting that only one Spanish side has come back from a two-goal losing margin after a first leg.
That came back in 2016-17, as Barcelona landed a memorable 6-1 second leg success against PSG. The French side have also failed to progress from four of their last nine ties after winning the first leg in the Champions League.
PSG’s ability to throw away handsome leads in the Champions League has been a narrative throughout recent history. However, we expect them to have the quality to get over the line and book their spot in the last eight this week. But, we could see it being a nervy affair, with Sociedad landing victory in 90 minutes.
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