PREVIEW: PSG v Chelsea: Jose's men must take advantage of PSG problems.
It's the knockout stage of the Champions League and literally all or nothing. Tonight, Chelsea take on Laurent Blanc's PSG's ...
https://www.chelseadaft.org/2015/02/preview-psg-v-chelsea-joses-men-must.html
It's the knockout stage of the Champions League and literally all or nothing. Tonight, Chelsea take on Laurent Blanc's PSG's side in the first leg of or round of sixteen games and with all their injury problems, Chelsea MUST take an advantage into the second leg at Stamford Bridge.
So what is a good result for us tonight? I want a win and if possible by a couple of goals as I honestly believe that PSG are there for the taking as long as we remain solid at the back.
Yes PSG have an attacking threat that we need to be aware of, Yes they are at home and will look to attack Chelsea as much as possible BUT, I believe that they can be picked off time and time again on the counter attack.
Chelsea just need to manage the game right this evening. As I said, sit tight at the back and remain compact. Nemanja Matic needs to patrol that area in front of the back four to provide important cover and to win the ball.
In possession of the ball Chelsea need to use it wisely. The obvious threat is Eden Hazard and Diego Costa. We have to give Eden Hazard the ball at every single opportunity and I want to see him really go at the defender in front of him. We do not want to see him hold up the ball and then pass it backwards.
As for Diego Costa? Well, three weeks without playing and having to sit and watch from the stands could light the touch paper in the striker this evening. You never know, it could turn out to be a blessing in disguise as he has had a chance to rest and recuperate.
Costa will give Luiz and Silva a hard time and a key part of these two games is how they decide to cope with him. I just hope he doesn't get wound up as he should let his football do the talking.
I asked the question yesterday whether or not Petr Cech or Thibaut Courtois should start and I have a feeling that Big Pete will get the nod again after his performance against Everton.
My predicted starting eleven tonight is as follows:
Cech, Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry(c), Azpilicueta, Matic, Fabregas, Willian, Oscar, Hazard and Costa.
I really, really believe that Chelsea have more than enough quality to beat PSG in BOTH legs starting tonight. I would take a 1-0 win right now if you were to offer it to me but I believe we are capable of scoring more.
Give me a two goal lead to take back to Stamford Bridge and I will be in heaven!
Come on Chelsea!