Paris St-Germain knocked Chelsea out of the UEFA Champions League for the second time in an many years, as the French champions defeated the incumbent English champions 2-1 at Stamford Bridge. Adrien Rabiot gave PSG an early lead, but Diego Costa equalized in the first half, while Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored PSG’s winner midway through the second half.
Here’s how the players rated:
Chelsea
Thibaut Courtois – 6/10
The Belgian could not do much for either of PSG’s goals and was otherwise unworked by the French visitors. He did thwart Ibrahimovic from close range late on, but by then the damage had already been done.
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Cesar Azpilicueta – 5.5/10
The Spaniard was caught napping for Rabiot’s goal, as the Frechman stole in behind him at the far post to score the opener. Azpilicueta struggled to get forward throughout the game, and the normally solid defender was caught out a couple of times with Di Maria and Lucas Moura troubling him.
Gary Cahill – 5/10
The Englishman is not the decisive leader that John Terry is, as he let Ibrahimovic go for PSG’s first goal, after being caught in two minds whether to follow the Swede to the wings. Cahill was frequently out of position whenever PSG threatened and did little to deny PSG’s second as well.
Branislav Ivanovic – 6.5/10
A fantastic goal-line clearance prevented Di Maria giving PSG an early lead. The Chelsea captain was rather good in defence, making another fantastic black with 10 minutes to go to deny Ibrahimovic turning in another Di Maria cross, although it was in vain.
Kenedy – 5.5/10
The Chelsea youngster turned in a typically inexperienced performance, as he was out of position for PSG’s first goal, but also made a couple of bursting overlaps down the left.
John Obi Mikel – 5.5/10
Chelsea’s defensive midfielder was left alone to deal with Di Maria, Rabiot and Matuidi and struggled, ultimately getting carded for a hack on Lucas Moura
Cesc Fabregas – 5.5/10
A rather quiet performance with a couple of exquisite passes. However, the Spaniard was unable to exert any real influence on the game, and barring Chelsea’s dominant spell towards the end of the first half, looked invisible throughout.
Pedro Rodriguez – 6.5/10
The Spaniard stole the ball for Chelsea’s equalizing goal, and repeated the trick later in the half but Costa was unable to put him through. However, Pedro was inconsistent with his distribution, often allowing PSG to counter attack after losing the ball in midfield.
Willian – 7/10
Chelsea’s Mr. dependable had another good game, full of running and purpose, and was credited with the assist for Costa’s goal. However, the lack of support in the second half meant that Willian was unable to trouble PSG much with his driving runs.
Eden Hazard – 6/10
Not the best of performances by the misfiring Belgian, although he did cause trouble occasionally down the right. He was hauled off for Oscar as Chelsea chased the game, with Hazard fading badly in the second half.
Diego Costa – 9/10
Absolutely fantastic from the Chelsea hitman, as he brilliantly wrong-footed Thiago Silva to score Chelsea’s first. The Spaniard was a threat throught the match, constantly troubling the entire PSG backline with some great runs. His injury was unfortunate, and effectively negated Chelsea as an attacking entity.
Subs
Bertrand Traore – 5/10
Having scored a fantastic volley in his previous game, Traore disappointed with the 30 minutes he was on the pitch, as he barely offered a threat to PSG’s defence.
Oscar – 5.5/10
The Brazilian came on for Hazard in the 77th minute and managed to move things forward, but that was the extent of his contribution.
Paris St-Germain
Kevin Trapp – 7/10
The German keeper made a great early save from Costa, but nearly conceded after spilling a low effort late in the first half, with Pedro nearly profiting. A fantastic double save from Willian and Hazard on the hour mark kept his side in the game.
Marquinhos – 6.5/10
Struggled down the right against Hazard at times, but bailed out Trapp with a vital clearance as the first half ended. The Brazilian shifted to midfield as the game ended, and looked comfortable there as well. A solid performance from the youngster.
Thiago Silva – 6/10
A centre-back of his calibre ought not to have been fooled by Costa for the first goal, although the Brazilian made a couple of vital interceptions that snuffed out threatening situations. Silva commanded the PSG defence as the game went on, although his job was made easier by Costa’s substitution.
David Luiz – 7/10
The former Chelsea man is often criticized for his adventurous spirit, but Luiz was rather disciplined and was PSG’s best defender on the night. The Brazilian often had to cover for a rampaging Maxwell, and responded the challenge well.
Maxwell – 6/10
PSG’s Brazilian left-back was a constant threat down the left, and sent in a couple of threatening crosses that had the Chelsea defence scramblling to clear. However, Maxwell did struggle to keep Willian quiet, and was occasionally caught up the pitch.
Thiago Motta – 5.5/10
PSG’s defensive hardman was caught by Pedro for Chelsea’s first goal, and his lack of pace resulted in the ball being stolen off him multiple times, while also going into the book for a foul on Fabregas.
Blaise Matuidi – 6/10
PSG’s box-to-box midfielder has been in fantastic form of late, although the Frenchman was surprisingly quiet in tonight’s game, as he was often second to 50-50s and was outmuscled off the ball multiple times, with Rabiot bailing him out at times. A late yellow did little to improve his rating.
Adrien Rabiot – 7.5/10
The Frenchman’s inclusion was a certainty with Veratti not making the squad, but even Laurent Blanc could not have predicted Rabiot’s impact. A fine burst into the box allowed him to score his first goal, while his exquisite pick out of Di Maria set up the second goal. Rabiot was a bit inconsistent with his distribution, but it did not affect his rating by much.
Angel di Maria – 8.5/10
The Argentine wizard was absolutely fantastic, as his perfectly timed pass found Ibrahimovic to set up the first goal. Di Maria was instrumental in all of PSG’s attacks, and was rewarded with an assist for PSG’s second goal after he sent in a peach of a cross from the left. Redemption on English soil for the Argentinian.
Lucas Moura – 7/10
Lucas was full of running throughout the game, and did not stick to the wings as he roamed all over the pitch. His constant harrowing of the Chelsea defence allowed Ibrahimovic and Di Maria to find space and profit.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic – 9/10
The Swede performed to his reputation, and was ruthlessly efficient as he was involved in both of PSG’s goals. A fantastic run to find space on the wing allowed him to cross for Rabiot’s goal, while Ibrahimovic was similarly alert to turn in Di Maria’s wonderful cross. A great night for PSG’s talisman.
Subs
Javier Pastore – 6/10
The Argentinian came on for Lucas Moura in the 77th minute and kept things ticking over in attack.
Edinson Cavani – N/A
The Uruguayan came on for Angel di Maria in the 82nd but had very few minutes to make an impact.
Gregory van der Wiel – N/A
The Dutchman came on for Blaise Matuidi in the 87th minute and barely got a touch.
