PSG, the bogeyman to avoid; Copenhagen, the ‘Cinderella’

Today, Real Sociedad will experience another day of turmoil and chaos. And at 12 noon the draw for the round of 16 of a Champions League will be held in Nyon, where the Gipuzkoan squad has been one of the most outstanding and least defeated. Their superlative performance in the group stage, where they finished ahead of Inter Milan, Benfica and Salzburg, allowed them to finish first in the group, leaving them to face a runner-up. Of the seven possible rivals there is one ‘bogeyman’ better to avoid at this point, which is Paris Saint Germain; three very high level teams where you have to sweat blood and perform a good qualifying round to advance, such as Leipzig, Naples and Porto; two others at a point more affordable, like PSV and Lazio; and a ‘Cinderella’: the Danish Copenhagen, which also comes after its winter break of almost three months.

PSG qualified in the last minute and on the rebound, after winning two games, drawing two and losing two. Despite having a world star like Mbappeother top-level footballers such as Hakimi, Donnarumma, Dembele, Marquinhos…and a squad worth a billion euros did not work at full capacity under Luis Enrique. Until now. With almost half a new squad and a different technical staff, everyone is predicting that it will be better in February and March.

Naples is another bone to avoid. Champion in Italy, he has a forward line that thrills any defense, the one created by Kvaratskhelia and Osimhen and a staff of almost 600 million euros. They lost their two games against Real Madrid. Leipzig is already a realistic rival and maintains a strong block, with stars Offend (he has 14 goals this season), Simmons either sex. Porto, who lost against Barça in both games, are capable of anything, especially in their own field. PSV, Lazio and Copenhagen will be the most desirable.

All of them have more or less dangerous ultra groups and have earned the right to continue in the Champions League. And everyone will have great respect for Real.