Chelsea 1-2 Paris Saint-Germain: 5 talking points

As Chelsea searched for a glimmer of hope in an otherwise disastrous season, conspiracy theorists revelled in the fact that the setting for this tie was eerily similar to when Chelsea played Napoli in the Round of 16-second leg in 2012. We all know how that ended, as Roberto di Matteo’s tough, efficient side won both the FA Cup and the Champions League.However, no such repeat was destined for Guus Hiddink, as goals from Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Adrien Rabiot saw Laurent Blanc’s men through. Despite Diego Costa’s well-taken goal separating them, livening up the tie at 3-2 on aggregate, the Parisians ensured yet another quarter-final appearance, as Chelsea’s only hope for Europe remains winning the FA Cup. Even that would only take them to the Europa league.Here are 5 talking points from the game:

#1 Chelsea fall for the Trapp

Not many 24-year-old German goalkeepers would’ve exactly salivated at the prospect of competing against Salvatore Sirigu for PSG’s number 1 spot last July, even less so when your suitors at the time include Borussia Dortmund, no less.

But Kevin Trapp is no ordinary man. Not only has he won Blanc’s trust, with the former Les Bleus defender eventually relegating Sirigu to the bench, but has also cemented his place as one of the most promising young goalkeepers, if occasionally losing coverage space to Thibaut Courtois and Jan Oblak.

Against Chelsea, he remained at his imperious best on a day PSG looked initially set up to defend. A scrappy contest was left calm at the Parisian end with Trapp marshalling the defenders well. The only blemish remained Diego Costa denying him a clean sheet, but not many keepers would’ve saved that shot hit on a turn anyway.

With Trapp and Marc-André ter Stegen both trailing Manuel Neuer in the pecking order, not to mention others like Ron-Robert Zieler, Germany is unusually well-endowed for the goalkeeping spot for the next decade to come.

#2 Hiddink surprises tactically

Guus Hiddink — Some of Hiddink’s decisions were questionable

While Chelsea have not really done well in the transfer market this season, buying unheralded defenders in Matt Miazga and Papy Djilobodji, they seemed to have unearthed a probable diamond in the rough upon snapping up young centre-forward Kenedy (and deciding not to loan him). The Brazilian duly went on to impress in his limited appearances and benefitted from greater trust reposed by Guus Hiddink.

However, none of this satisfactorily explains why Hiddink opted to start the Brazilian against PSG, that too in the unheralded position of left-back. Not only was Kenedy’s performance fleeting at best, he was also culpable of being caught napping on his defensive duties, leading to one of PSG’s goals. Bafflingly, a natural left-back in Baba Rehman was present on the bench.

Not content with one strike, Hiddink went further when it came to replacing the injured Diego Costa. While Kenedy coming forward was one solution, Hiddink brought on Bertrand Traore, which looks fine until one realizes Loic Remy was on the bench. The Frenchman’s pace and experience could’ve proved handy, particularly with Oscar coming on later to shore up supply, replacing Eden Hazard, who looks sorely out of touch.

Taking the French champions lightly from an unfavourable position was never a wise move, and Hiddink seems to have duly paid for it.

#3 Costa\'s injury worries

As Diego Costa limped off in the 59th minute, Chelsea fans had every reason to be really worried. The forward has been one of the driving forces since Hiddink arrived, but the man’s injury raises questions critical, as Chelsea look to finish strongly in an unpredictable Premier League.

It only served to reopen the old debate played out time and again under Jose Mourinho, of the lack of a suitable striker to step in for Costa. Loic Remy has often looked the part, but the stylistic differences between the two men are hard to adapt to so quickly for the team, that too for short term purposes.

Getting the conundrum right before Chelsea plays Everton in the FA Cup will be critical, as Roberto Martinez’s men continue to leak goals amidst all excitement at the moment, throwing away a 2-0 lead to gift West Ham a win recently. Given the FA Cup is Chelsea’s sole chance at silverware and Europe now, Hiddink could do well to direct all energy to it.

#4 PSG soldier on

Despite having hiccups in Ligue 1 over the past two weeks, a tournament they should win in a couple of weeks if they win the next two fixtures, Blanc did an admirable job of nipping the issue in the bud when he needed to. The front three of Lucas Moura, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Angel Di Maria functioned smoothly, with Edinson Cavani being thrown into the mix to spice up things later on.

Despite Chelsea making for a scrappy midfield battle, young Adrien Rabiot complemented experienced campaigners Blaise Matuidi and Thiago Motta well, in no way making the absence of Marco Verrati felt.

Focusing on a semifinal appearance in the UCL, if only for Zlatan, would be a decent aim for PSG, though if the big boys battle each other as Bayern and Juventus face off in the round-of-16, even winning the tournament is not impossible, but remains for the moment on pretty long odds.

Considering one of Bayern and Juventus will exit, PSG are still arguably behind Barcelona, Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid and Manchester City in the pecking order, not to forget whoever wins next week at the Allianz Arena.

Blanc faces a tough task if he is to give Paris their first European title, and France their first since Olympique Marseille won in 1993, but sewing the league up in March gives him a good chance of giving the same a shot.

#5 What next for Chelsea\'s future?

Managerial instability, an ageing back line, no Champions League next season, and as many as 33 players out on loan, one may be forgiven for concluding that Roman Abramovich has dug himself into a hole of his own making.

Despite pitching for big names such as Antonio Conte to take over at the Bridge next July, one wonders the sustainability of the plan, given Chelsea has little to offer on track record with the loss of Champions League football. Players may justifiably be concerned about their ability to nail down a long-term first-team spot, and managers concerned about their ability to see out any contract Abramovich offers them.

Chelsea must guard against the flux which seems to have engulfed Manchester United, aiming big with little to show for those grand aspirations. Whether Abramovich does that or continues to act akin to a shadow of another illustrious president, Florentino Perez, is to be seen.

Edited by Staff Editor