Paris Saint-Germain booked their place in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League after Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored a decisive goal for the visitors in the second half tha helped his team win 2-1 on the night and 4-2 on aggregate The side from the capital of France started the better and got their reward within 15 minutes after Ibrahimovic’s pass found Adrien Rabiot for a tap in.
Chelsea fought back with Digo Costa scoring just 10 minutes later after PSG lost the ball near their own half. But it wasn’t to be a fairytale comeback as PSG wrapped up the result in the second half after Zlatan Ibrahimovic buried the ball from close range.
Trending
Squads:
Chelsea:
Courtois; Azpilicueta, Cahill, Ivanovic, Kenedy; Mikel, Fabregas; Pedro, Willian, Hazard; D. Costa.
Paris Saint-Germain:
Trapp; Marquinhos, Thiago Silva, David Luiz, Maxwell; Thiago Motta, Rabiot, Matuidi; Di Maria, Moura, Ibrahimovic.
First Half: Costa cancels out PSG’s early goal
Chelsea came into the game with a 2-1 deficit as they looked to try and overturn that scoreline. Hiddink named an unchanged side. PSG on the other hand, were without Veratti which meant Adrien Rabiot got a start in midfield.
The game started in furious pace as both teams had chances in succession. First Kevin Trapp was called into action after PSG tried to pass their way out of defence. Rabiot’s misplaced pass led to Chelsea winning possession near the edge of their PSG’s box, but Costa’s shot was well parried away.
Then PSG responded with a chance of their own. Lucas Moura found Di Maria on the right and the Argentine's effort beat Courtois but was cleared off the line by Ivanovic. PSG started to look the more threatening in the opening stages and dominated possession.
Chelsea looked unsettled at the back and their poor defending led to the opening goal for PSG. Lucas Moura and DI Maria were involved in the build up once again as the former played in Zlatan Ibrahimovic on the right side of Chelsea’s box. The Swede played in a lovely first time low ball across the face of goal which youngster Rabiot tapped into the net.
That goal should have shattered the home side’s confidence but instead, it spurred them on. Chelsea started pressing high and kept winning the ball from PSG’s midfielders. Their sloppiness on the ball proved costly for Laurent Blanc’s men as Willian won the ball and gave it Costa who faked his marker to slot calmly past Trapp.
PSG continued to make several mistakes in the first half as Chelsea won balls in good areas but were unable to convert their chances due to a poor final ball. PSG escaped that late scare to reach half-time with the scores level.
Second Half: Costly error decides Chelsea’s fate
In the second half, the game started in similar fashion to how the first half had ended. Chelsea pressed PSG and won the ball of them. In the 49th minute, Willian burst down the right wing powering past Marquinhos and cut it back for his teammates waiting in the box but the resulting efforts were blocked twice, first by Luiz and then by Maxwell.
Chelsea continued to dominate the opening stages but also knew they were susceptible to the counter attack. Willian was proving to be Chelsea’ best player and greatest hope to breaking down PSG’s defence.
PSG managed to create a chance of their own. After some neat interchange of passes between Zlatan and Di Maria, the ball fell to Maxwell who had all the time and space to pick out teammate from his cross but it was disappointing one as Courtois plucked it out of the air.
The Blues had their best chance of the second half just after the hour mark. Willian once again the instigator cut inside two defenders from the left and powered a low drive which Trapp kept out. He saved once again from the follow up by Hazard.
That could have been the turning point but it wasn’t to be for the English club. A rare mistake at the back from Azpilicueta let in Di Maria on the right and the Argentine crossed wonderfully for Zlatan Ibrahimovic to tap home the goal that ended the contest.
Chelsea definitely had their chances but left themselves with too much to do after costly mistakes at the back put the tie beyond any doubt. PSG progress through to the quarter-finals 4-2 on aggregate
