PSG – Real Sociedad: probable line-ups

After a turbulent European autumn, during which they were finally able to struggle out of their group behind Dortmund, Luis Enrique’s men are playing part of their future this Wednesday evening (9:00 p.m.) against Real Sociedad. In a melting Parc des Princes, PSG will try to take an option on qualification for the quarter-finals of the Champions League, a stage of the competition that they have not known since 2021 and their triumph at the expense of Barça (1-4, 1-1). So no, tonight’s opponent will not be a candidate for the final coronation, as Real Madrid or Bayern Munich may have been in the last two seasons, but the Parisians must not give in to excess of confidence in the face of this unpredictable Real Sociedad, capable of both good and bad this season.

The good news is that Luis Enrique should have his best players on hand for this meeting. Obviously, Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma will occupy the Parisian goals and will be protected, from right to left, by Achraf Hakimi and Marquinhos, left to rest against Lille this week in the Coupe de France. No 100% Brazilian hinge on the other hand, since the solid Danilo Pereira should be preferred to the young Lucas Beraldo, who arrived this winter from Sao Paulo. On the left, Lucas Hernandez will logically liven up his lane, while the Portuguese Nuno Mendes resumed training during the week.

Kylian Mbappé well started, Real Sociedad less affected than expected

If the identity of the defense aligned by Luis Enrique was fairly guessable, the first uncertainties resided mainly in that of the midfielder. According to the newspaper The Team, Luis Enrique should ultimately prioritize the profile of Fabian Ruiz over that of Manuel Ugarte, while Warren Zaire-Emery and Vitinha will evolve a notch higher. Hit in the ankle after a nasty tackle from Lilian Brassier a week ago, Kylian Mbappé will finally start up front, as expected in recent hours. He will be escorted by two other Frenchmen: Ousmane Dembélé, on the right, and the unbalancing Bradley Barcola, on the left, which will force Luis Enrique to do without Randal Kolo-Muani and Gonçalo Ramos, substitutes at kick-off. If vagueness has long existed around the composition of Imanol Alguacil, which the Spanish press imagined deprived of at least ten elements, the damage should ultimately be limited according to AS Pais Vasco.

In goals, the usual holder Alex Remiro will hold his position well. In defense, former Rennais Hamari Traoré, recently returned from the CAN with Mali, will have the mission of stemming the waves generated by Bradley Barcola. He will be supported by Robin Le Normand and Zubeldia, unsurprisingly holders in the hinge. On the left, the explosive Javi Galan, loaned this winter by Atlético after Tierney’s injury, will be responsible for containing Ousmane Dembélé. In the 4-3-3 constructed by Alguacil, the coveted Martín Zubimendi will be supported by the Spanish internationals Mikel Merino (19 caps) and Brais Mendez (4 caps). The big Basque absence, because there really had to be one given the massacre that Real Sociedad recently suffered, is that of Mikel Oyarzabal, captain and top scorer of his team this season. Umar Sadiq will have the difficult task of filling his absence, while the twirling Take Kubo and Ander Barrenetxea will energize, or at least try to energize the corridors.

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