The Blues face Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League last 16 this (Tuesday) evening, with Chelsea’s focus firmly fixed on carrying forward into Europe the form and momentum which saw them demolish Newcastle Utd in the Premier League at the weekend.
Blues manager Guus Hiddink knows that this week is crucial for the club, and one which could likely define both Chelsea’s season and his second spell as interim boss.
A good result against PSG will set them up nicely for the return leg at Stamford Bridge as well as generating further confidence in anticipation of their FA Cup fifth round tie against Man City this weekend.
The stakes are high for Hiddink, as his team’s standing in the BPL (in twelfth place, 14 points behind fourth-placed Man City) means that winning this year’s Champions League is their only realistic chance of qualifying for next year’s lucrative European competition.
It’s a tough ask. But not impossible, and not unprecedented: Blues fans will always remember how, in 2012, following a similarly turbulent season, Chelsea finished sixth in the league but still plotted a remarkable route back into the competition when they won the Champions League under Roberto Di Matteo.
“It’s a key week” said Hiddink in yesterday’s pre-match press conference. “Even in this difficult year, if you can win a trophy it would be an unexpected but huge success.”
“I think the team has restored its confidence a bit, getting some results recently and there’s a little bit better perspective. We hope we can continue with that….and hopefully we can have a beautiful spring” he added.
Team News:
Inspirational skipper John Terry has been ruled out of the PSG game after he was forced off with a hamstring injury in the first half of their win over Newcastle at the weekend. He only just missed the cut having failed a late fitness test and has not traveled to Paris with the squad. He should be fit for Man City on Sunday, however.
With Kurt Zouma also sidelined for the rest of the season with knee ligament damage, it seems likely that Hiddink will move Branislav Ivanovic alongside Gary Cahill and bring Baba Rahman in on the left, with Cesar Azpilicueta switching to the right.
It’s an unfamiliar and somewhat makeshift defence which will likely be tested to the max by the always-dangerous Zlatan Ibrahimovic. And should this be the backline formation that Hiddink goes with, it will be interesting to see how Rahman deals with the responsibility of containing PSG’s Angel Di Maria, who has has appeared rejuvenated since his move to Paris from Manchester Utd.
Hiddink will be hoping that the 21-year-old Ghana international rises to the occasion and that his natural strength and pace will see him through.
Better news for the Blues is that Brazilian playmaker Oscar should be returning to the fray after missing Saturday’s game through injury. If Hiddink goes for an expected 4-2-3-1 formation, he looks set to line up in the centre with Chelsea’s player of the season (so far) Willian on the right, an Eden Hazard with much to prove on the left, and a resurgent Diego Costa up ahead of them.
With Nemanja Matic suspended, Hiddink favourite John Obi Mikel is also expected to return to the side in midfield alongside Fabregas.
Another option could see Hiddink sticking with Pedro whose consummate performance, and brace of goals, against Newcastle suggest that he is starting to find his best form when Chelsea really need it. His experience, box-to-box style and endless running off the ball will surely create a welcome dilemma for Hiddink when he chooses his starting line up to face PSG.
January signing Matt Miazga and 18-year-old Jake Clarke-Salter were also on the plane to Paris, but Alexandre Pato has remained in London.
For their part, PSG will be looking to capitalise on their scintillating form which has seen them become the undisputed dominant force in French football and elevate them to serious contenders status in the Champions League.
Nevertheless, it may not be the worst time to face a team who are now 24 points clear at the top of Ligue 1 and have only lost once in 46 games. They were contained by Lille at the weekend and had to make do with a 0-0 draw, ending a 16-match winning streak. And perhaps more importantly, the recent scandal involving an online rant by Serge Aurier during which the French defender abused his PSG manager and team mates, has seen the 23 year old suspended and cannot have helped club morale.
Also, with the Blues coming off the back of their own solid run of form (no defeats in the last 12 games), culminating in Saturday’s 5-1 thrashing of Newcastle, and with a renewed feeling of confidence coursing through the Chelsea ranks, tonight is shaping up to be a cracking encounter which Blues fans will be quietly optimistic about.