Gauthier Delomez with Cyrille de la Morinerie
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6:18 p.m., December 18, 2023
PSG is now set on its European future: it is Real Sociedad which will face the Parisians next February and March, for the round of 16 of the Champions League. A Spanish club much less known than the European big names (Real Madrid, FC Barcelona, Manchester City…) but which Parisians will have every interest in being wary of. Origin of the club, current performances… Europe 1 takes stock of this unexpected opponent, to say the least.
Where does Real Sociedad come from?
This is the football club from the city of San Sebastián, located in the Spanish Basque country, a few kilometers from the border with France. It was founded in 1909, and changed its name several times until taking its current name the following year, in 1910. It was the King of Spain himself, Alfonso XIII, who renamed it ” Real Sociedad de Futbol” in reference to the city of San Sebastián, resort of the Spanish monarchy.
Since then, the club has had two Spanish championships (1981 and 1982), three National Cups and a Spanish Super Cup in 1982. Its best result in Europe is a semi-final in the Champion Clubs’ Cup, the ancestor of the Champions League in 1983. Great Spanish players have played for the blue and white club, and foreign players have been revealed there, like Antoine Griezmann, author of 52 goals between 2009 and 2014.
What is the profile of this club?
“It’s a Spanish club, but above all, it’s ‘a Basque club'”, explains Jacques Vendroux in the show Pascal Praud and you. “It is one of those clubs where there is still an identity. They only take few foreign players. It is a very popular club in the Basque Country”, adds the sports journalist, who refers to the Anoeta stadium, the showcase of “la Real” with 40,000 seats. “There will be an incredible atmosphere,” promises Jacques Vendroux.
“A real team with a real collective”, underlines Philippe Montanier, former coach of Real Sociedad
Coach of the Basque club between 2011 and 2013, Philippe Montanier takes his look at today’s Real Sociedad. “There are talented players, but above all it is a real team with a real collective, and very few weak points,” he believes at the microphone of Europe 1. “These are players who are not not very well known, but with real potential. They also have depth on the bench”, also notes the coach.
What is the form of the team?
If Real Sociedad is not the most famous club on the Iberian Peninsula, the Parisian players know that it will be a big game in the round of 16. “Real Sociedad are in a very good period. They had a group stage as difficult (as PSG) with good opponents. And they finished first. I think that shows their value, it shows how we have to prepare to be in good shape for this match”, declared Parisian captain Marquinhos.
This draw still seems lenient, given Paris Saint-Germain’s potential opponents. “Incredible luck! (…) “They escaped everything. It’s the ‘weakest’ club that PSG will face,” insists Jacques Vendroux.
The difference with PSG is that the Basque club finished first in its Champions League group, made up of Inter Milan, finalist of the C1 last year, Benfica Lisbon and RB Salzburg, which will give confidence to the Donostians (name of the inhabitants of San Sebastian) for the continuation of the European adventure.
In the championship, coach Imanol Alguacil’s men are in 6th place, five points behind FC Barcelona, 3rd. And they can count on their top scorer, Mikel Oyarzabal, Spanish international and author of seven goals in La Liga this season.