Kylian Mbappe Bradley Barcola PSG 2023-24Getty

PSG player ratings vs Real Sociedad: Kylian Mbappe is inevitable, but Bradley Barcola proves there is life without him as Parisians take Champions League stride

Kylian Mbappe was the protagonist, but young Bradley Barcola showed that Paris Saint-Germain might just survive without him as the Parisians' wingers grabbed the goals in a 2-0 first-leg win over Real Sociedad on Wednesday night.

Luis Enrique's side endured a disappointing opening period, but a controlled second half saw them ease past their Spanish visitors.

The Parisians had their chances in the first half; Mbappe scuffed his effort after running through on goal, before Ousmane Dembele lashed a shot into the side netting. La Real came closest before half-time though, with Mikel Merino rattling the bar from 30 yards out.

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Mbappe opened the scoring early in the second half, darting in at the far post to meet a Marquinhos flick-on. Barcola added the second soon after, skipping past his man down the left before threading an effort through the goalkeeper's legs. Mbappe came within inches of the third with a driven strike from long range. The defence did its work, too - La Real didn't put a single shot on target all evening.

This wasn't impressive at first, but a strong second half has seen Luis Enrique's men take a significant stride towards achieving their unlikely Champions League dream.

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