Chelsea put in a disappointing second half performance away in Paris on Wednesday night as their Champions League hopes hit rocks in the Parc des Princes.
Eden Hazard’s equaliser from the sport cancelled out Lavezzi’s stunning 4th minute opener, before a David Luiz own goal and Javier Pastore wonder goal settled proceedings on the night.
Chelsea lined up with Andre Schurrle upfront instead of Fernando Torres with Oscar, Willian and Hazard behind the German. Brazilian teammates Ramires and Luiz lined up in the pivot.
It will take a huge night at Stamford Bridge to overturn a 3-1 deficit, in a game where Chelsea started and ended slower as they conceded early and late goals.
PSG’s Lavezzi made the most of a half-clearance from John Terry to fire home after 4 minutes and stun Chelsea who had not got going in the game.
Mourinho’s side grew into the game and earned a penalty after Thiago Silva fouled Oscar, and Eden Hazard calmly tucked away to grab what could still turn out to be a vital away goal.
Chelsea now took control of the game and had chances to take the lead, with Eden Hazard hitting the post with a well struck volley. It looked as if Chelsea were going to be the team to go on and clinch the game in the second half.
At halftime it was all square and Chelsea fans were chanting of the final in Portugal – a little premature perhaps.
15 minutes after the restart, David Luiz gave away a cheap freekick, before compiling his misery by tucking into his own net whilst trying to clear.
Chelsea failed to respond to this goal and didn’t take control as they had in the first half, and some shambolic defending led to a third goal for Pastore which makes the return leg that little bit harder in 6 days time.
The introduction of Fernando Torres for Andre Schurrle proved unsuccessful as the striker put in another timid performance, with many fans once again taking to social media to vent their frustration with the 50 million pound man.
The noise inside the Parc des Princes suggested that the French fans felt that their side had done enough to secure a place in the semi-finals of the Champions League, with Chelsea having a large uphill task at Stamford Bridge next Tuesday.
Jose Mourinho was visibly disappointed with his sides performance, which meant it was 5 losses in 6 away games in all competitions:
“The game was under control at 1-1 but then we scored an own goal and the third goal was a joke.”
The decision to not start Fernando Torres was a clear signal that Mourinho has no trust in his strikers, and he once again claimed his side “couldn’t take half-chances”.
Many Chelsea fans would be in agreement that Eden Hazard was the bright spark for the side tonight, scoring a goal as well as keeping to ball in a game where Chelsea struggled to do so.
Petr Cech was widely seen as having a poor game, having let in the final goal at his near post. Who was your Chelsea man of the match?
Despite the poor performance and a scoreline that was higher than it needed to be, Mourinho refused to rule his side out of a place in the semi-finals:
“We are not out, and we will try to turn it around.” We have to play the second leg thinking that it is possible, and I don’t think PSG think it is done.”
A glimmer of hope for Chelsea fans will be the memories of a famous comeback, from the same scoreline, against Napoli at Stamford Bridge in the season where Chelsea went on to become Europe’s elite.
A similar performance will be required, and the Blues will also be boosted by the fact that Zlatan Ibrahimovic hobbled off with what appeared the be a muscular problem in tonight’s game.
Chelsea face Stoke on Saturday evening in a game in which they will be hoping to keep their faint title hopes alive with, what the fans will be hoping, is a comfortable victory.
The Champions League return leg at Stamford Bridge is on Tuesday night, and it will be interesting to see which competition priorities in the hunt for silverware in his first season back in SW6.
PSG vs Chelsea: Post-match facts:
- This was Chelsea’s fifth away defeat in six games in all competitions
- Chelsea did not have a shot on target after Eden Hazard’s first half penalty
- This is only the second time in 21 CL games that Chelsea have conceded 3+ goals
- Chelsea have conceded as many goals tonight as they had in their previous seven Champions League games
- PSG have conceded three penalties in their last four Champions League games
Source: Opta
