Mbappé and Barcola lead the way for PSG against Real Sociedad in the Champions League

Premier but en Ligue des champions pour le Parisien Bradley Barcola. MAXPPP – TERESA SUAREZ

Le Paris Saint-Germain a réussi à se sortir du piège de la Real Sociedad (2-0) en 8e de finale aller de la Ligue des champions, mercredi 14 février, mais la pression sera au rendez-vous le 5 mars pour valider son ticket pour les quarts.

Everything remains to be done: the Parisians will have to be up to the task on March 5 in San Sebastian to see the quarter-finals, far from the Parc des Princes and where they have always been less good this season in the Champions League (two defeats, a draw).

Wednesday evening at the Parc, Luis Enrique's men escaped thanks to a set piece and a quick attack, while until then they had been very pressed strong by the Basques.

Authoritarian in Ligue 1 but remaining on two eliminations in quick succession in the 8th of C1, they did not respond in the first period to the intensity nor really resisted the aggressive play of the Basques, known for having this clear gaming identity.

Apart from a lost duel between Mbappé and the Real Sociedad goalkeeper (6th) and a breakthrough from Dembélé (25th), the Parisians were not dangerous and we even almost fell behind when captain Mikel Merino touched the bar (45th).

MBAPPÉ DÉLIVRE PARIS ! 😍

L'attaquant français à la retombée de la tête de Marquinhos pour ouvrir le score 👏#PSGRSO | #UCL pic.twitter.com/aVb4xHeeSR

— CANAL+ Foot (@CanalplusFoot) February 14, 2024

Unlike the two matches against Newcastle which also pressed high and where PSG did not achieve much (4-1, 1-1), they resisted and found the flaw. It's on a corner that they found the solution thanks to a recovery at the far post from Mbappé (58th, 1-0), his fourth goal this season in C1.

The French star, injured in the ankle last week against Brest in the Coupe de France and preserved against Lille on Saturday in Ligue 1, was very close to the double but his powerful shot was deflected by Alex Remiro onto the bar.

Barcola's first goal in C1

Then on a rapid offensive, Bradley Barcola, the other element of the Parisian offensive trident with Dembélé and Mbappé, managed on his own to make the break (70th), well launched by Fabian Ruiz. First goal of his career in C1.

Le but magnifique de Barcola pour le 2-0 ! 😍

Quelle action splendide depuis les 40 mètres, et quelle finition 😱#PSGRSO | #UCL pic.twitter.com/jWdF7l8MbF

— CANAL+ (@canalplus) February 14, 2024

They then attacked the depth by playing quickly forward, far from the philosophy of Luis Enrique who focuses his game on control and circulation of the ball.

Fearsome in Ligue 1, the attacking trio was not as effective and complicit against Real Sociedad. Rather efficient in terms of their individualities. Seventh in the Liga and decimated by injuries, notably that of their captain Mikel Oyarzabal, the Spaniards pressed less, tired after taking a blow to the head.

Unlike the capital club, which narrowly qualified for the round of 16 behind Dortmund after two defeats and a draw in the group stage, the team of San Sebastián finished first ahead of Inter Milan, finalist of the last edition.