PSG have dominated French football for the past few seasons but they have not had it their own way in this campaign and currently sit third behind leaders Lyon and Marseille. They also failed top their Champions League group, finishing behind Barcelona. Their ‘reward’ for that is a tie against Chelsea who knocked them out at the quarter-final stage last season. They’ll obviously be looking to avenge that defeat but they would have been disappointed with a last 16 exit no matter who it was against, and if they were to go out at this stage then it would be seen as a huge failure when you consider the money that has been spent on the squad.
With a seven point lead in the Premier League and through to the final of the League Cup, it has the makings of a very good season domestically for Chelsea. Their performances in three group stage of this competition was authoritative and they done more than enough to finish top of their group. They didn’t enjoy their last visit to Paris but they done enough to edge the tie as a whole, last season. Jose Mourinho will be hoping that they don’t give themselves as much to do in the second leg this time around as he looks to win the competition for the third time with three different clubs.
Laurent Blanc was criticised for failing to ensure his side’s progress to the semi-final stage last season by being too negative in the second leg. Pressure is already on him due to PSG trailing in the league so he will be looking to earn a reprieve with this European tie. His approach to this first leg will be interesting as he will have to find a balance between winning the game and making sure they’re still in it come the second leg.
Mourinho has failed to deliver the Champions League since his 2010 triumph with Inter. A three year spell at Real Madrid and one year at Chelsea all ended in failure so he will be desperate to change that this season. They look a more threatening side with the signings of Cesc Fabregas and Diego Costa but there is nobody better at the tactical battle in these big games than Mourinho who will be keen to get that important away goal.
I don’t think either team will be too adventurous in this match but there will be more onus on the home time, as you would expect. Chelsea will look to soak up pressure before hitting them on the break so PSG will have to be wary, especially as the visitors have looked very accomplished away from home in this year’s competition. I envisage this will be a tactical battle and both sides might accept a draw if it’s still level heading into the last half hour.
Draw 9/4 Bet365
