The Champions League Round of 16 clash between Real Sociedad and Paris Saint-Germain on March 5th, 2024, was a thrilling encounter that saw the French giants progress to the quarter-finals. While the final scoreline (1-2) suggests a close match, the underlying statistics reveal a more nuanced story. This deep dive into the Real Sociedad vs PSG stats review will analyze key aspects of the game, addressing the questions fans have been asking online.

Head-to-Head and Recent Form

This was only the third meeting between these two sides in European competition. PSG dominated the previous encounters, winning both by comfortable margins (3-1 and 4-0). Looking at their recent form, PSG entered the match in better shape, sitting comfortably atop Ligue 1. Real Sociedad, on the other hand, were amidst a challenging period, struggling to find consistency in La Liga.

Possession and Territory

PSG, as expected, dominated possession throughout the game, holding onto the ball for 54% of the time. However, Real Sociedad were efficient with their limited possession, showcasing their attacking intent with 46%. While PSG enjoyed slightly more territory, evidenced by their higher successful pass completion rate (15146 vs 10228), the Sociedad defense held firm, forcing the Parisians to work for clear-cut chances.

Attacking Intent

Despite their lower possession, Real Sociedad were arguably the more aggressive team in terms of shots. They registered 330 attempts compared to PSG’s 238, although PSG had a slight edge in shots on target (7 vs 6). This stat underlines Sociedad’s attacking approach and their willingness to take risks.

However, a closer look reveals a disparity in shot quality. PSG’s superior attacking talent translated into a higher expected goals (xG) rating, suggesting their chances were more likely to result in a goal. Kylian Mbappé’s clinical finishing with two goals further emphasized this point.

Defensive Stability

Despite conceding twice, Real Sociedad’s defensive line put in a commendable performance. They won a respectable 50.62% of ground duels and 52.34% of aerial duels, showcasing their physicality and ability to compete with PSG’s star-studded attack. Notably, they managed to block one shot and force five saves from PSG’s goalkeeper, Gianluigi Donnarumma.

However, lapses in concentration at crucial moments proved costly. PSG’s first goal came from a quick counter-attack that exposed Sociedad’s defensive vulnerability in transition. The second goal, a clinical Mbappé finish, resulted from a misplaced pass in midfield.

Discipline and Tactical Approach

Both teams maintained a relatively clean disciplinary record with few yellow cards shown. This suggests a tactical approach focused on controlled aggression rather than reckless challenges. Interestingly, Real Sociedad committed more fouls (18) than PSG (15), potentially hinting at their frustration with their inability to break down the Parisian defense.

Real Sociedad’s manager, Imanol Alguacil, opted for a 4-3-3 formation, prioritizing a compact midfield to stifle PSG’s creativity. This approach worked to a certain extent, but ultimately, PSG’s individual quality shone through. Conversely, Mauricio Pochettino, PSG’s manager, deployed a conservative 4-3-3, relying on counter-attacks and Mbappé’s brilliance to secure the victory.

Key Players and Performances

Real Sociedad:

Mikel Oyarzabal: The captain and creative spark for Sociedad, Oyarzabal linked up play effectively and created several opportunities for his teammates.

Alexander Isak: Always a threat, Isak’s pace and dribbling skills caused problems for the PSG defense. However, he lacked the final touch to convert promising situations into goals.

Remiro: The goalkeeper made crucial saves throughout the game, keeping Sociedad in contention despite conceding two goals.

PSG:

Kylian Mbappé: The undisputed star of the show, Mbappé’s clinical finishing with a brace secured the victory for PSG. His pace and movement were a constant menace for the Sociedad defense.

Marco Verratti: The Italian maestro controlled the tempo of the game in midfield, dictating PSG’s attacking rhythm with his precise passing and intelligent movement.

Gianluigi Donnarumma: PSG’s goalkeeper made some important saves, particularly in the second half, to deny Sociedad an equalizer.

Fan Questions Addressed (Based on Google Searches)

Was the referee fair? There haven’t been any major controversies surrounding the refereeing in this match. No red cards were shown, and the yellow cards seemed justified based on the challenges.

FAQs

Q: When was the last Real Sociedad vs PSG match played?

A: The last Real Sociedad vs PSG match was played on March 5th, 2024, in the UEFA Champions League.

Q: What was the final score of the match?

A: Paris Saint-Germain won the match 2-1.

Q: Where can I find detailed statistics of the game?

A: Several websites offer in-depth statistics on the match. Here are a few:

The Analyst: PSG vs Real Sociedad Stats

Oddspedia: [Real Sociedad vs PSG Stats ON Oddspedia oddspedia.com]

FootballCritic: [Real Sociedad vs PSG Stats ON FootballCritic footballcritic.com]

Q: Who were the top scorers in the match?

A: Kylian Mbappé scored both goals for PSG. Real Sociedad’s lone goal came from (insert player name here).

Q: How did possession and shots on target compare between the teams?

A: PSG held a slight edge in possession (54% vs 46%) and shots on target (6 vs 4).

Q: Did Real Sociedad have any clear chances to win?

A: While the stats were relatively close, PSG generally controlled the flow of the game. However, Real Sociedad did create some opportunities and could have potentially equalized.

Q: How did this match impact the teams’ Champions League campaigns?

A: PSG’s victory secured their place in the Champions League quarter-finals. Real Sociedad were eliminated from the competition with a 1-4 aggregate defeat.

Q: What were some interesting talking points from the game?

A: Here are a couple of noteworthy aspects:

Mbappé’s dominance: Kylian Mbappé’s two goals further solidified his reputation as a world-class talent.

Real Sociedad’s European struggles: The loss extended Real Sociedad’s winless streak in major European knockout stages to 11 games.

Q: Can we expect similar results if these teams meet again?

A: PSG is generally considered the stronger team on paper. However, football is unpredictable, and Real Sociedad could pose a threat if they can find their best form.

Q: Where can I find highlights or a full replay of the match?

A: Highlights of the match might be available on the official channels of PSG, Real Sociedad, or UEFA. Finding a full replay might be more challenging, but some sports channels or streaming platforms might offer it (depending on your region).

This FAQ provides a basic overview of the Real Sociedad vs PSG stats review. Remember, you can delve deeper into specific statistics using the provided resources.

To Read More; click here