What: Champions League – Quarter-final Second Leg
Who: Chelsea (1) vs Paris Saint-Germain (3) – (First leg scores in brackets)
When: Tuesday 8th April 2014, at 19:45 UK Time
Where: Stamford Bridge, London, England
Battle At The Bridge
Chelsea must overturn a 3-1 first leg scoreline if they are to advance past Paris Saint-Germain and into the Champions League semi-final. Tuesday’s second leg promises to be a dramatic night at Stamford Bridge with the French champions eager to make Europe’s final four for the second time in their history.
Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has never been eliminated at this stage of the competition; however his team now face a tall task to keep that record intact. With the Portuguese continually insisting that his team are not in the title race in England, it is thought that Chelsea’s best chance for silverware remains the Champions League. Having faced this deficit before against Napoli two years ago, the Blues will have belief about turning the trick again.
Chelsea warmed up for what is now the match of their season with a weekend win over Stoke. It was a comfortable 3-0 victory; however there were spells when the team struggled in the final third. This has been a problem all season and though Mourinho has lamented his strikers’ productivity, he will likely keep faith with Fernando Torres to help grab the necessary goals to defeat PSG and move on.
As Chelsea looked strong earlier this year and had their eyes on multiple trophies, defeat to PSG over the two legs would be disappointing. It would certainly ensure a disappointing season for a club with such lofty expectations especially if they are unable to come back and win the Premier League.
Ready To Make Their Mark
While Chelsea will feel the pressure at home, Laurent Blanc’s side will also be weighed down by their own expectations. After a revival in the last few seasons thanks to new ownership which has spent record-breaking sums, PSG have a date with destiny on Tuesday. Last season saw the club just miss out on the semi-final after a heart-breaking away goals defeat to Barcelona. It was suggested by many that the Parisians were the better side over the two legs, but it mattered little to a team whose aim is to be amongst the European elite.
Javier Pastore’s injury-time stunner in the first leg now gives PSG a real advantage heading to London. It will be a true measure of the character of Blanc’s charges whether they can stave off an experienced side like Chelsea and move on in the competition. In France, PSG have had no real rivals in Ligue 1 with even the “nouveau riche” such as Monaco failing to mount a significant title challenge. With the league title essentially won, the focus is very much on success in Europe.
Though Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s absence represents a massive blow, the French club have shown they can win without their talisman. In attack, the likes of Ezequiel Lavezzi and Edinson Cavani will be a handful for Chelsea. It is perhaps at the back where the big questions remain. Can PSG survive a potential Chelsea onslaught and show the poise under pressure necessary to advance? If they can display the defensive solidity needed in such a big match then it could be a night of celebrations for the club.
Recent form
Chelsea:
Crystal Palace 1-0 Chelsea (29/30; Premier League)
PSG 3-1 Chelsea (02/04; Champions League)
Chelsea 3-0 Stoke (05/04; Premier League)
Paris Saint-Germain:
Nice 0-1 PSG (28/03; Ligue 1)
PSG 3-1 Chelsea (02/04; Champions League)
PSG 3-0 Reims (05/04; Ligue 1)
Key absences
Chelsea: Andrea Schurrle (doubt); John Obi Mikel (doubt); Samuel Eto’o (doubt)
Paris Saint-Germain: Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Players to watch
Chelsea – Willian: The Londoners are a team that is struggling in front of goal in so far as their forwards have not been able to consistently find the net. Willian’s strike against Stoke was as important as it was impressive helping the Blues to a crucial three points. Chelsea will want more of the same from their all-action midfielder and if the Brazilian can find himself in some advanced positions he has the skill and accuracy to score the vital goals Chelsea need.
Paris Saint-Germain – Edinson Cavani: The Uruguayan frontman has been at odds with Blanc’s failure to deploy him in his preferred central role. At the weekend against Reims with Ibrahimovic out, Cavani showed just how deadly he could be in front of goal as he struck the opener in a superb display. Another goal against Chelsea could kill off the tie and send the French side through to the semi-final.
Match Prediction
History may largely not be on Chelsea’s side with regard to overturning this 3-1 deficit, but Mourinho’s men have been here before. In their Champions League winning season back in 2012, Napoli strolled into Stamford Bridge with a 3-1 advantage only for the Blues to win 4-1 in extra-time on the night. PSG may be stiffer competition, but that experience will surely offer Chelsea supporters hope. Mourinho too has never been eliminated in quarter-finals and knows all too well how to inspire his teams in matches like this. That said, PSG will be looking at this match as their way to announce to all of Europe that they are amongst the best the continent has to offer. There is the belief within this group and after falling at this stage last season, the Parisians are set to finally take the next step. Chelsea 2-1 PSG.
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