11th March, 2015
Chelsea host PSG on Wednesday night in their Champions League last-16 second-leg clash with the comfort of a vital away goal.
Branislav Ivanovic scored for the Blues in the 1-1 draw in Paris three weeks ago, before Edinson Cavani’s second-half equaliser kept the French side firmly in the tie. Chelsea overturned a two-goal deficit at the quarter-final stage against PSG last season, winning the second leg 2-0 having been defeated 3-1 at the Parc des Princes.
It took a late Demba Ba strike to see them through that night, but Jose Mourinho will be hoping for a calmer passage into the last eight this time round.
Jose Mourinho says that experience helps his side to prepare for big games and that he is calm ahead of their game with PSG
John Obi Mikel is the only definite injury (knee) absentee for the contest, which is poised at 1-1 following the first leg three weeks ago.
Right-back Serge Aurier (hamstring) and winger Lucas Moura (knee) remain sidelined for the Parisians while former Newcastle United midfielder Yohan Cabaye looks set for a possible as he bids to return from a thigh injury.
Jose Mourinho says his Chelsea players are “very comfortable” ahead of the tie,
“Experience helps us to sleep ahead of the match. You feel comfortable to play. It’s something that you do a lot of times.
“This is just one more game, in spite of it being a knockout game and the second leg. So, calm. But I think that, during the game, the players will play. We are speaking about teams with very good players, and some of them are very comfortable playing at this level. It’s more about them.”
Meanwhile, Paris St Germain coach Laurent Blanc has described Chelsea striker Diego Costa as provocative and warned his players not to rise to the bait in their Champions League game on Wednesday. “He is someone who loves the contact, loves the duels, and is very suited to the English game,” Blanc told reporters.