On Wednesday, Paris Saint-Germain will host Real Sociedad at the Parc des Princes for the first leg of the UEFA Champions League Round of 16. The matchup also features two teams that have never faced off in a competitive fixture.
The Parisians are the sole representative of Ligue 1 in the Champions League knockout stage, with RC Lens having missed out on qualification. Lens settled for third place in their group, relegating them to the UEFA Europa League.
PSG approaches the match against the Spanish team on a three-game winning streak in all competitions. PSG secured a 3-1 over LOSC Lille this past weekend to build positive momentum for this contest. Still, the Champions League presents a distinct challenge for them.
Luis Enrique and his team could not clinch a victory in their last three Champions League group stage matches, managing only two draws and one loss as they will look to turn their fortunes around.
Having been ousted in the Round of 16 for the past two years, the capital club will be aiming to establish a level of dominance in the first leg, paving the way for a successful second leg that can propel them into the quarterfinals for the first time since 2021.
As for Real Sociedad, they come into the contest with just one win in their last five matches across all competitions. Imanol Alguacil and his squad are coming off a 1-0 loss this past weekend to CA Osasuna.
The La Liga side hasn't faced a French club in the Champions League knockout stage since the 2003-04 season when they lost to Olympique Lyonnais in the Round of 16 with a 1-0 score over both legs.
