Chelsea have the task of overturning a 2-1 first leg deficit if they
are to reach the quarter-finals of the Champions League, with Paris St.
Germain intent on ending their hopes for the second season in
succession.
It was a closer game than many expected when the sides
met in the French capital in mid-February as Chelsea for the most part
defended well and managed to grab the all-important away goal through
the unlikely source that was John Obi Mikel. Their undoing on the night
proved to be a deflected free-kick from Zlatan Ibrahimovic and a failure
to track Edinson Cavani, with the Uruguayan proving ruthless when the
chance came his way.
The
key here for the home side will not be to come out all guns blazing and
commit too many men forward in search of the opening goal which would
put them ahead in the tie. PSG possess too much quality in attack for
gaps to be left, so a disciplined performance is required by Guus
Hiddink’s men, for whom the Champions League has taken on extra
importance as qualification for next season’s competition through the
Premier League still seems unlikely despite a storming run of late.
Hiddink
will bring back a couple of his big guns for this one having rested
them for their last two outings against Norwich City and Stoke City,
where the team still managed to take four points. Diego Costa will look
to torment the away backline on his return to the team, while the
set-pieces that Willian puts into the penalty area have the potential to
be key in deciding the outcome.
But
Chelsea should also be fully aware of the danger that PSG pose from
dead-ball situations as both of their goals at Stamford Bridge last
season came from corners, so they will come under threat from all
angles. Cavani will need to be closely marked at all times, while the
tireless work that Blaise Matuidi gets through in the midfield has to be
matched.
Since taking charge at the club, PSG manager Laurent
Blanc has done a fine job domestically and is about to oversee a Ligue 1
title win for the third year in a row as they are so far clear at the
top, but the former France World Cup winner will primarily be judged on
his level of success on the continent, so it is crucial for him that
they make it through this tie as they look to get past the
quarter-finals for the first time.
It again appears that there
will be little to choose between the sides and although PSG are
currently the stronger side, Chelsea can never be ruled out, especially
as a result of the confidence they are playing with at present. Just one
goal for the Blues and they will be on course to advance, but this is
all about how they cope defensively. It could go all the way.
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