Paris stun Real Sociedad

There was magic in the air this Wednesday evening in the capital. Having successfully negotiated the start of 2024 in three different competitions, Paris prepared for the 4th, the one with a taste of Europe... The special atmosphere of the great European evenings pervaded the Parc des Princes for this first meeting with Real Sociedad. It was a gala match that Luis Enrique was approaching with all the right ingredients. Indeed, the coach of Paris Saint-Germain was able to call on the full strength of his starting eleven, which was as attacking as it was attractive, with Mbappé, Dembélé and Barcola up front.

All the ingredients were there for an evening of passion. In front of an enamoured home crowd, the Rouge et Bleu were ready to move mountains. There was no risk of underestimating the Spanish side: Real Sociedad had clearly come to the capital to lay a trap for our Parisians. Stubborn and robust, this Basque side had all the makings of a tough opponent. The stage was set.

The first step was clear: don't be intimidated. Look them in the eye! In a match that started at 1,000 miles an hour, we had to hold on tight to avoid being taken by surprise by the intensity of the match. Supercharged, ultra-concentrated and willed on by the crowd, the Parisians played the game well, giving everything they had to win every ball in order to counter the suffocating press. So, after a first half that had to be approached with more seriousness than extravagance, the first hurdle was navigated flawlessly.

Second step: use your charm to find a way through. It was never about dominating an opponent that no one else had managed to beat in this Champions League campaign. It was about unsettling them, letting them wear themselves out. Letting loose in order to surprise them. It was about accepting that, faced with a team that was perfectly organised at every turn, they would need a flash of genius. And who better than the tandem of Mbappé and Dembélé to turn the balance of power on its head? After a few supersonic attacks (5', 7'), our two artists began to threaten dangerously after the break. Real weren't far away from conceding... And from a corner well taken by Ousmane Dembélé and deflected by Marquinhos, Kylian Mbappé popped up to catapult the ball under the bar and send the Parc des Princes into raptures! (1-0, 57'). It was the perfect reminder, if one were needed, that great matches belong to great champions.

Last but not least, seeing it out! Galvanised by the opening goal, the Rouge et Bleu expertly navigated the rest of the match, with feet firmly on the accelerator. There was no question of letting up. From the elusive Dembélé to the goal-hungry Mbappé, the Spanish goal witnessing one wave after another. The Parisian striker's missile smashed the bar, bringing the crowd to their feet in part of a thrilling climax! (62'). The gentle nudge before the mortal blow! The magician Dembélé made the most of a dead ball Bradley Barcola set off to score the winning goal (2-0, 70'). Iconic goals to lift hearts on Valentine's Day: this was a match to remember for all Paris Saint-Germain fans.

United right to the end, the Paris Saint-Germain players gave everything to hold on to their lead. Their team spirit was reinforced by individual flashes of brilliance that set the home crowd alight! At the end of an intense and hard-fought first leg, Paris Saint-Germain secured a first leg victory and are now heading into their second leg with confidence. Hearts will be beating with anticipation between now and 5th March...