In what might well still turn out to be a positive result for Guus Hiddink’s men, Chelsea were unfortunate not to hold the Paris giants to a draw during an entertaining and fast moving game which was finally decided by PSG sub Cavani’s late winner.
The 1-2 result – probably a fair one given the intense pressure that the French side put Chelsea under for large parts of the match – means the Blues are still well placed to progress in the Champion’s League…if they can keep a clean sheet in the return leg in three weeks’ time and score themselves.
Preventing this talented and powerful side from scoring at Stamford Bridge will be a massive challenge, however, even if the steely John Terry and Matic are back in the team by then. Last night in Paris, Laurent Blanc’s version of the Galacticos at times looked like they might run riot.
But, for the most part, Chelsea’s makeshift defence stood firm, with Gary Cahill and stand-in captain Ivanovic time and again putting their bodies on the line to deny PSG, despite the speed and skill of Di Maria, Lucas and Ibrahimovic going forward.
And PSG didn’t have it all their own way. Not by any means. Before the match, Hiddink said they would not simply sit back and absorb the home side’s pressure. His team were true to his word: when they weren’t defending en masse, they were holding the ball, moving it around intelligently, and mounting effective counter attacks.
After a hectic opening 15 minutes, Hiddink’s side gained in confidence and should be credited for the way in which they took the initiative and played their way back into the game.
In fact Chelsea should have opened the scoring when Baba made space down the left hand side and delivered a delicious cross which Costa headed powerfully towards goal. Only a fingertips save from Keven Trapp denied him.
Even after Ibrahimovic’s opener on 39 minutes, from a deflected free kick, Chelsea refused to sit back and were rewarded on the stroke of half time. Fabregas, breaking down the right, saw his cross diverted behind for a corner. Willian, who was superb throughout, sent the ball in to Diego Costa who delivered a deft flick on at the front post. It fell perfectly for Mikel, who controlled the ball and buried it in the back of the net for a rare goal.
The second half was even more frantic than the first, with both Chelsea and PSG mounting fast and furious attacks. The tireless Willian, in particular, threatened PSG’s Brazilan-dominated defence with a series of solo expeditions deep into the home side’s half which he followed up with intelligent deliveries to Chelsea’s front man. The understanding he has with Costa could prove invaluable in the return leg if the Blues can convert such opportunities into actual goals.
It was unfortunate for Blues fans that – following a period of sustained PSG pressure during which Courtois made a series of brilliant stops from the impressive Di Maria (who looks nothing like the ineffectual player Manchester Utd sold last year), Ibrahimovic and Maxwell – the Chelsea goalie was finally beaten by super sub Edinson Cavani, who latched onto a quality Di Maria cross which he slipped beneath the Belgian keeper.
It was probably a fair result on the night. And while Hiddink won’t be pleased about losing his unbeaten record with Chelsea, club and fans alike will know that this results gives them more than a chance to progress to the last eight of this competition. Bring on March 9th at the Bridge.
Chelsea Player Ratings : Courtois 7.5; Azpilicueta 7; Cahill 8; Ivanovic 8; Baba Rahman 7; Fabregas 6, Mikel 6.5; Pedro 6, Willian 8, Hazard 5 (Oscar 6); Diego Costa 7.5.
Contributed By Pieter Preston