One week before the clash against PSG at the Parc des Princes in the round of 16 first leg of the Champions League (February 14), the pressure is already starting to mount for Real Sociedad which has its eyes fixed on this match. An appointment marked in red ink on the calendar and which, in a sense, erased everything else… or almost.
Three matches away from a potential title in the Spanish Cup, Imanol Alguacil has chosen to put all his strength into the battle against Mallorca this Tuesday in the semi-finals first leg. Champions League or not. With the exception of Mikel Oyarzabal, affected this weekend against Girona (0-0), the Basques were able to field a typical eleven. A small miracle as injuries have decimated the Txuri-Urdinak recently. Physically shaken by a Mallorca team led by the eternal Javier Aguirre, Real did not show its advantage in the first period, its head elsewhere. However, there is no reason to forget your good defensive habits.
The huge opportunity harvested by Sadiq
Despite the string of injuries and the pressure of playing, for the first time since 2004, in the round of 16 of the Champions League, Real remains the third best defense in La Liga (21 goals conceded). Against the Balearic team, Robin Le Normand’s teammates, preserved against Girona, could have conceded a goal if Abdon Prats had scored his shot, free at the entrance to Alex Remiro’s penalty area (52nd). ).
Umar Sadiq, for his part, missed the unmissable, alone against Dominik Greif after some nice work from Takefusa Kubo on the left side (71st). La Real finally pocketed the draw they had clearly come for, the third in a row without a goal after those against Girona and Rayo Vallecano in La Liga. In decline since the end of 2023, Real will not present itself against the Parisians in the best conditions. But it’s a safe bet that during such an anticipated meeting, the intentions will not be the same.
