Chelsea have the uphill task of overturning a 3-1 Champions League quarter-final deficit suffered in Paris last Wednesday evening against Paris Saint-Germain.
Venue: Stamford Bridge Date: Tuesday, 8th April Kick-off: 19:45 GMT On TV: ITV1/HD
A disappointing and underwhelming night in Paris has left Chelsea with the task of overcoming a 3-1 deficit at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night against PSG.
Goals from Lavezzi and Pastore either side of Eden Hazard’s equaliser and David Luiz’s own goal gave the French side a comfortable victory and the title of favourites to progress to the semi-finals.
Chelsea fans, however, will be boosted by convincing win against Stoke on Saturday which stopped Chelsea’s season spiralling even further out of control following league defeats to Villa and Crystal Palace.
Blues fans will also remember when the same scorline was overturned by Chelsea against Napoli at Stamford Bridge, winning 4-1 and then, of course, famously going to win the coveted trophy.
In order to progress, Chelsea would require a 2-0 victory, unless PSG were to score where 3-1 would send the game to extra time and that 4-1 scoreline would of course send Chelsea through.
PSG, managed by Laurent Blanc, will fancy their chances of progression following their third goal which was branded “a joke” by Mourinho due to some suspect Chelsea defending.
The goal meant that a 1-0 victory at Stamford Bridge would not be enough for Chelsea as it would have had the game in Paris finished at 2-1 to the French side.
However, the away goal for Chelsea has kept this tie alive; Eden Hazard’s penalty means that many Chelsea fans believe that a semi-final place is a real possibility for their team.
In the league, Chelsea have not conceded a home goal for 8 games; something which will be welcomed by fans of a Chelsea team which will make the task a whole lot easier for themselves by not condeding in this second leg.
Jose Mourinho has often critisised the scheduling of his side’s games, and Tuesday’s game means the squad have just 2 days of rest and preparation
Samuel Eto’o seems liklely to remain sidelined by injury, meaning Fernando Torres will be likely to get yet another chace to prove himself up top.
Saturday’s man of the moment Mohamad Salah is ineligible for this competiton, along with Nemanja Matic; the latter a noticeable absentee in the Chelsea midfield last Wednesday.
Eden Hazard was a second half substitute is Chelsea’s triumph over Stoke City on Saturday, meaning the Belgian will be fresh to play against the side that reportedly want the winger for their own team.
Andre Schurrle is also a doubt after Charlie Adam’s poor challenge on Saturday, however Jose Mourinho believes the German will be ready to play; but surely in a wide position rather than up top this time around.
For PSG, their self proclaimed main man Zlatan Ibrahimovic is sidelined for the second leg after the big Swede pulled up last Wednesday night, where his team then went on to settle the game with a third goal.
Progression for Chelsea, after this large set-back, would surely get the Stamford Bridge faithful believing that they could yet again go on to win Europe’s elite competition.
However, larger challenges lie ahead if Mourinho’s men do indeed progress, but many chelsea fans would argue that their teams thrive in such situations.
A key battle for the game will be that of Ezequiel Lavezzi against a Chelsea defence that in the first leg, were perhaps to focussed on Ibrahimovic and Edison Cavani. Lavezzi opened the scoring with a stunning early goal.
In addition, one of Chelsea’s main areas of success during the first leg was the pressing in midfield, despite Nemanja Matic’s absence. PSG’s Veratti was often closed down by Chelsea’s attacking players, leading to many an opportunity which Chelsea will need to take this time around are they to progress in the competition.
If such a thing exists, a disadvantage of Chelsea qualifying for the semi-finals may be that the games would fall either side of the Blues cruch game with Liverpool at Anfield; a game that could be pivotal in deciding where the Premier League trophy ends up come May.
Chelsea vs PSG: Pre-match facts
- PSG have lost just 2 games in all competitions this season
- Chelsea have not conceded in their last 8 games at Stamford Bridge (Premier League)
- Chelsea have won 3 of their last 4 knockout ties after losing the 1st leg away from home
- Only Neymar (38) has completed more dribbles than Eden Hazard (33) in the Champions League this season
Chelsea vs PSG: Predicted lineup
Chelsea: Cech, Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta; Lampard, Luiz; Hazard, Oscar, Willian; Torres
Prediction: Chelsea 3-1 Paris Saint-Germain
