Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) are leading by two goals in the first round of the UEFA Europa League round of 16, and will face Real Sociedad in the next round. PSG is expected to advance as long as they can keep their goal unbeaten in this match, or have a net-minus of no more than one goal. Considering that Real Sociedad's offense is in the doldrums, scoring less than 2 goals in only 6 of their 7 matches in the UEFA Europa League this season, PSG can win this match by 2.5 goals if they can consolidate their defense. (Live on Now 643 Wednesday at 4 a.m.)
With Kylian McBarbee reaching the end of his term this summer, this season will be especially crucial. In his final season at 'Le Grand Paris', despite the high morale of the team, McBarbie will be hoping to help PSG win the UEFA Champions League before he leaves.
However, coach Anriki has begun to gradually acclimatize his team to the rhythm of playing without McBarbie. For example, in the last Ligue 1 match, McBarbie played only half of the match and shook hands with Monaco 0-0. In the last two league matches, the team has been strong, not scoring more than two goals in four consecutive matches. I'm sure this game will be no different. McBarbie may not start the match. Anriki's tactics focus on controlling the tempo of the game. As long as they don't concede a goal in this game, promotion is within reach.
Faced with a two-goal deficit, Real Sociedad returned home for the second round and will surely go all out on offense to try to equalize. However, the team's offense has been on fire lately, with five consecutive matches from the end of January to the middle of February going scoreless. Although the offense has picked up recently, Mallorca has eliminated them from the quarterfinals at the end of last month, with back-to-back home defeats in various matches demoralizing the team. In the league, the starters lost 2-3 against Xavier, and in this state the chances of beating PSG are slim.
