Paris St Germain vs Chelsea @ Parc des Princes
Tuesday, February 17, 2015 @ 19:45
Chelsea will revisit the scene of their last away Champions League defeat tomorrow as they face Paris St Germain in the first leg of the round of 16.
The French champions overcame the Blues 3-1 in the first leg of their quarter-final last season before goals from Andre Schurrle and Demba Ba overturned the deficit at Stamford Bridge.
Jose Mourinho has only ever been knocked out twice at this stage of the competition, reaching the semi-final or better in each of the past five seasons.
The Chelsea boss will have near enough an entire squad to call upon, with Jon Obi Mikel being the only doubt due to a knee injury.
Diego Costa is likely to make his first appearance since being handed a three-match ban for a stamp on Liverpool’s Emre Can, while new signing Juan Cuadrado could well make his Champions League debut for the Blues.
Mourinho’s side cruised to qualification from their Champions League group, winning four and drawing two of their games and have been unstoppable for most of the season, losing just three in all competitions.
Likewise, PSG have lost only three matches this campaign, but they are coming off the back of a heart-breaking Valentine’s Day draw at home to Stade Malherbe Caen, having thrown away a two-goal lead.
They also find themselves bereft of their usual squad depth following injuries to Serge Aurier, Yohan Cabaye, Marquinhos and Lucas Moura, along with strains to Blaise Matuidi and Thiago Motta which could leave them threadbare in midfield.
Star man: Cesc Fabregas
Danger man: Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Last meeting: Chelsea 2 (Schurrle 32′, Ba 87′) PSG 0
April 8, 2014
Feature image of Juan Cuadrado, courtesy of Chelsea FC, with thanks
