Paris Saint-Germain against Real Sociedad. A clash between two teams that is a priori a little unbalanced on paper. But above all, beyond what will happen on the ground during the two confrontations, it is a big opposition of models and philosophies. It is obviously not a question of saying that one is ideal and the other is bad, clearly not, but it is interested in highlighting the differences which led these two clubs to have, each on their own scale, some success in recent years.
Goals
This is obvious, but it is still important to emphasize it. The two clubs are far from having the same objectives, both on the national and continental scene. Winning the most titles on the national scene is the bare minimum for Paris Saint-Germain, and the club’s objectives are clear: to win the Champions League. Opposite, the Basques, very far from the means and power of Barça and Real Madrid, logically have much more modest ambitions, and qualifying for a European competition is already synonymous with a good season. Having passed the groups and finished ahead of Inter is already a small achievement, or at least that’s how it is presented in Spain. It is therefore no surprise that in this match, there is a team which has everything to lose, and another which has everything to gain…
The transfer window
The transfer window, however, is a little more interesting to analyze. On the Parisian side, the strategy has been more or less the same since the start of the QSI era, which began more than ten years ago now. Recruit stars to form a very high level group. Even if it is true that recently, we also seem to be focusing the transfer window on the arrival of young players with potential and there is an obvious desire to Frenchify the squad. A model which has perhaps become a little hybrid recently, but which has remained, in recent years, rather galactic. On the other hand, Real Sociedad has a quite different policy, which tends to be more stable and more oriented towards training. We recruit to fill gaps that cannot be covered by players from the training center. Or when there are market opportunities and deals too good to turn down. At PSG, it’s the opposite. The young people from the center serve, except in exceptional cases and unusual talents like Warren Zaire-Emery, to plug the holes.
In a very healthy financial situation, Real Sociedad can also afford to sign nice checks when its management considers it necessary, like the summer of 2022 when more than 50 million euros were spent. Last summer, the Basques burned some big clubs on Arsen Zakharyan (€15 million), proof that the San Sebastian team is also capable of making big moves on its scale. Where Real Sociedad differs from many clubs of its caliber, whether in Spain or elsewhere, is that there is clearly no desire to trade players. The objective is to keep the same spine for as long as possible and only offers that are truly impossible to refuse – the 70 million euros asked for Isak by Newcastle in the summer of 2022 – are accepted. Real Sociedad does not need to sell to be in the green and above all, wants to be ambitious. There, we therefore find a big point in common with PSG, which always wants to keep its best elements and practically never sells starters.
Training
If PSG relies little on the young people in its training center, that does not mean that they are not at the level, clearly not. There are many of them who shine almost everywhere in the four corners of the Old Continent, and even those who are not retained have displayed a generally satisfactory level when they have had opportunities in A. The Parisian training center is clearly one of the best in the planet. In recent years, PSG has also replenished the coffers quite well by selling some of its best young players elsewhere in Europe, like El Chadaille Bitshiabu, who left for €15 million to Leipzig. On the other hand, training is at the heart of the project and is the pillar of the club. A CIES study carried out last season showed, for example, that Real Sociedad was the team that used the most home-trained players in Europe (17 in total), ahead of Athletic (13) and OL (11). ).
As explained in an article published in our columns in 2022, Real Sociedad has a methodology very similar to that of FC Barcelona, aiming to attract the best early talents in the region through a network of more than 80 partner clubs, to then progress in a very structured and competitive environment. A pioneer in Spain in the use of data and technology and very knowledgeable in aspects such as nutrition or athletic strength, the Zubieta training center is a gold mine which has seen players like Mikel Oyarzabal or Martin Zubimendi come out in recent years. Spanish internationals who, today, would be very expensive for interested clubs. At PSG, even if some very high level players have left in recent years, it is clear that training is left in the background. And it’s completely legitimate too.
The extra-sporty
If PSG is a huge multinational, Real Sociedad is still a rather local club which does not necessarily seek to gain fans or market share internationally. Off the field, for example, there has been exceptional work exporting and developing the PSG brand throughout the world, helped by the collaboration with Jordan notably and necessarily, the glamor and prestige symbolized by the city of Paris. More than just a sports team, PSG is now a lifestyle brand, especially in countries where football is not as popular as in Europe. In any city in the world, it is now possible to come across people wearing a sweater or a t-shirt bearing the image of PSG, something that seemed completely surreal just a few years ago.
On the side of Real Sociedad, the idea is rather to consolidate locally and nationally before exporting. Even if it is true that the presence of Take Kubo in the workforce necessarily had an immediate and significant impact on the Japanese side, notably allowing the signing of agreements with Japanese companies. Unlike most clubs of its status, the Basque club does not necessarily seem to be in a mad race for revenue, quite the contrary. In addition to rarely selling its best players, Real Sociedad has, for example, often evolved without a jersey sponsor in recent years. The Basques were also the only La Liga club not to have any sponsorship contracts with sports betting companies. The leaders had thus listened to the opinion of their supporters, even if it meant depriving themselves of a nice check.
Identity and local anchoring
This is a problem that PSG has been faced with in recent years: how to develop and grow as a club without offending or abandoning early fans? How to stay attached to the roots and history of the club? How can we continue to represent the city of Paris? It’s difficult to understand, and for the moment, PSG is not doing so badly. Of course, some supporters miss a time when the club was much less powerful sportingly, but where tickets for matches were cheaper, or when players seemed more attached to the club and respected the institution more. But the club has always worked to link its image to the city and the region. However, it should be noted that the Parc des Princes affair and a move to a new venue could create a small rift with many supporters…
On the side of Real Sociedad, there is clearly this desire to highlight the pride of being Basque. A squad full of local players, without going to the extreme of Athletic’s neighbors, which is one of the keys to its recent success. Play players who are proud to defend the colors of their region and who, a priori, will be more motivated and will tend to give more than a player from elsewhere. And even more so when they all went through the same training center and therefore all grew up in a similar footballing environment. There is also the desire to listen to fans – like the example cited above – and to fully integrate them into club life. An exciting duel on the field, but also off it!
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