PSG beat Real Sociedad, Lazio beat Bayern in the first matches of the 1/8 finals of the Champions League

In the first match of the 1/8 finals of the Champions League, PSG beat Spanish Real Sociedad at home in Paris – 2:0. The Russian midfielder of the club from San Sebastian, Arsen Zakharyan, came on as a substitute in the middle of the second half, but was unable to make a difference in the game. In another meeting on Wednesday, Roman Lazio defeated Bayern Munich at home – 1:0.

The PSG-Real Sociedad pair had one small peculiarity. In this case, one of the tournament favorites played on his home field in the opening match of the 1/8 finals. This was explained by the fact that at the previous stage the Spanish club unexpectedly finished first in its group, while the French giant remained second. However, the advantage that Real Sociedad received in this regard was purely speculative. In order to have a real chance of reaching the quarterfinals before the start of the second, home match, he needed to avoid embarrassment on the road, trying to win at least a draw, and if he lost, then with a minimal difference.

Before the break it seemed possible. PSG started the meeting in a comfortable manner, but the guests quickly managed to push the game away from their goal, which was calmly defended by the most successful goalkeeper of the current Champions League, Alex Remiro, who conceded only two goals in six group stage matches. At the critical moment, which was not used by PSG attack leader Kylian Mbappe, the Spanish club responded with a dangerous shot from Mikel Merino after a corner kick. Guests’ striker Andre Silva and Parisians’ forward Bradley Barcola took turns making impressive headers, and just before the break, Merino hit the crossbar from outside the penalty area. In general, PSG had no advantage at the end of the first half, and it is not surprising that Mbappe went into the break shaking his head in displeasure.

However, in the second half everything changed dramatically. Shortly after play restarted, Mbappe was back in the spotlight following Achraf Hakimi’s cross. True, then the ball did not land very well on the star forward’s foot, but he simply could not help but take advantage of the next moment. That goal was to some extent the result of an injury to the Malian defender of the Spanish team, Amari Traore, who for the time being successfully restrained the opponents’ best player, but was forced to leave the game for a couple of minutes. Another corner followed, PSG captain Marquinhos made a discount from the center of the penalty area towards the far post, and Mbappe, who was in the right place at the right time, hammered the ball point-blank into Remiro’s goal. Having conceded, Real Sociedad found themselves knocked down, having clearly lost confidence, and with it the pace. Soon the same Mbappe could score a double, but Remiro parried his shot with great difficulty.

In the 66th minute, visiting head coach Imanol Alguacil made the first substitution. Instead of Ander Barrenechea, Russian midfielder Arsen Zakharyan entered the field, who, apparently, was called upon to add spice to the attack. However, PSG had already caught the courage, and twelve minutes after the first goal they doubled their lead. A productive attack from his own half of the field was started by Ousmane Dembele, who even before looked like perhaps the most active participant in the match, and was completed by Barcola, who gracefully rolled the ball between Remiro’s legs.

The events that took place on the field in the last twenty minutes did not change anything. Zakharyan was hardly noticeable, and PSG did not insist too much on the third goal. The result is 2:0, and in order to reach the next stage, Real Sociedad, which failed to score in the fifth official match in a row, will have to jump over its head in early March.

In Wednesday’s other match, Lazio hosted Bayern Munich in Rome. There, too, everything was decided in the second half, when in the 67th minute Munich defender Dayot Upamecano was punished with a red card and a penalty converted by Ciro Immobile for a foul in his own penalty area. But here the balance of forces has not changed much. Having suffered a minimal defeat just days after a painful setback against Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen, Bayern still look like favourites.

Evgeniy Fedyakov