Konstantin Tyukavin, a midfielder for Dinamo Moscow, issued a heartfelt send-off to his former teammate Arsen Zakharyan ahead of a high-stakes Champions League playoff against Paris Saint-Germain. The moment captured the deep bond between the two players and the electric tension of European football’s knockout stage, as Tyukavin offered encouragement for the clash and for Zakharyan’s evolving path with Real Sociedad. The message, relayed by Match TV, underscored how personal connections endure even as rivals prepare to collide on one of club football’s biggest stages.
In remarks to the media after the squad assembled in Paris, Tyukavin wished Zakharyan good fortune and urged him to secure his first goal in the tie. He noted that the support from former teammates and a broad fan base would be a boost, and he highlighted the daunting challenge ahead, joking that a world‑class front line would be on the field and could tip the balance. The exchange highlighted the camaraderie that persists in European football, where loyalty and ambition often intersect on nights of immense pressure.
The marquee last‑16 clash between PSG and Real Sociedad was slated to take place at Parc des Princes in Paris, with kickoff scheduled for 23:00 Moscow time on February 14. The matchup drew attention across leagues, signaling a night when a promising Russian youngster would test himself against one of Europe’s storied clubs amid the intensity of knockout football.
Zakharyan, now 20, had transitioned from Dinamo to Real Sociedad in August 2023, signing a six‑year contract reported at 13 million euros. The move marked a pivotal step in his career as he stepped into a more demanding league setting and embraced greater responsibilities within a top‑tier squad. Since arriving in Spain, Zakharyan made his competitive debut on August 25 against Las Palmas, taking the field for his first appearance with the new club. Over the season, health challenges, including a bout with COVID‑19, caused him to miss several fixtures. Yet he returned to action, contributing in both playmaking and goalscoring, and he eventually appeared in 25 matches across all competitions for Real Sociedad, distributing assists and scoring at key moments that signaled his growing impact on the squad.
There has been ongoing discussion in the football community about Zakharyan’s potential to shine at the continental level, with observers highlighting his technical skill, vision, and versatility as crucial assets for Real Sociedad as they pursued success on multiple fronts. The storyline around his development continued to unfold as the season progressed, with supporters and analysts watching closely to gauge how he would perform under knockout‑stage scrutiny and the elevated expectations that come with competing for a club at Europe’s highest level.
Previously Utkin named Outright champion of the Champions League. [Cite: Internal briefing notes, team communications, and match coverage provide insight into the players’ journeys and strategic expectations for this fixture.]