Paris SG is playing some of his European credibility at Chelsea on Wednesday and will try to save his meager advantage gained in the first leg (2-1) for a fourth consecutive qualification for the quarterfinals of the Champions League.
No rival to its extent in France, Paris is firmly expected on the continental stage where Qatar, owner of the club since 2011, hopes to validate his ambitious project. C1 was erected in true Grail by new Parisian makers as they arrive to PSG orders and premature exit route would necessarily work in the landscape. Marco Verratti has even talked about “disaster” in the columns of Guardian .
A removal would further the end of the season the players of the capital very bland insofar as the 4th consecutive champion is almost certain, with 23 points ahead of their dolphin Monaco. And a possible new domestic treble (with the League Cup and the Coupe de France) would only reinforce their status as untouchables in France.
The narrow success at Parc des Princes on February 16 , does not guarantee anything at the last french representative in the European Cup, apart from a breathless thriller at Stamford Bridge. Uncertainties regarding two key executives middle, Marco Verratti and Blaise Matuidi, also weaken the Parisian building before the epilogue of the third double confrontation between the two teams in 3 years.
the mystery Verratti both players are part of the group but will they fit? Optimism is de rigueur for Matuidi, who is recovering faster than expected from its contraction in the thigh. The mystery surrounding the participation of Verratti, hampered by a nagging groin injury, risk of revenge last until kickoff. Without the great Italian, available since 20 February, PSG is not the same team. The challenge is huge for White and his staff, who had managed to rebuild transalpine prodigy for the first act. Javier Pastore, fabulous scorer face the Londoners in quarter-final in 2014 (3-1), is ready to replace him.
On a more personal level, Laurent Blanc is also in the front line and must prove his ability to carry the high Parisian aspirations far in Europe while the club under the banner Qatar, has always failed in the quarterfinals. Renewal of his contract until 2018 just before the double confrontation with the English champions is a trusted brand. But this would obviously chipped in case of major failure in C1.
Paris and QSI (Qatar Sports Investments) hope many Angel Di Maria, their latest star to date. Bought 63 million euros to Manchester United last summer, the Argentine is supposed to be “X Factor” , one that will take the next step to PSG in the Champions League. Author of a magnificent Assist for Edinson Cavani on the winning goal in the first leg, it must confirm in London.
Ibra, Di Maria Trapp under surveillance Another star under surveillance Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Out of contract in June, the gondola of the Qatari project, 34 years old, dreams of shining in the only competition that is lacking in its huge club charts. Its ability to be in on it in a chopper meeting C1 will probably depend on a possible extension. Do not forget Kevin Trapp, heroic to go in goal but the repeated blunders overshadow its potential.
Chelsea again become more solid with the sacking of Jose Mourinho and the arrival of Guus Hiddink (10th Premier League), will rely on the speed of Willian, the cunning of Diego Costa and Eden Hazard alarm to turn the tide. The captain and defender John Terry being fixed, the Dutch technician field a Cahill, Ivanovic hinge. This play big, as all the Blues, who have only the Champions League to brighten their season.
CHELSEA: Courtois, Baba Rahman, Ivanovic, Cahill, Azpilicueta, Obi Mikel, Fabregas, Hazard, Willian, Pedro, Diego Costa. Replacements: Begovic Miazga, Kenedy, Matic, Loftus-Cheek, Oscar, Traore, Pato, Rémy. Coach G. . Hiddink
PARIS SG: Trapp, Marquinhos, Silva, Luiz, Maxwell, Pastore, Motta, Matuidi, Di Maria, Ibrahimovic, Lucas. Replacements: Sirigu, Van der Wiel, Kimpembe, Kurzawa, Stambouli, Verratti, Rabiot, Augustine, Cavani. Coach L. White
The meeting is to be followed live on our website from 20 am.. Kick-off at 20 h 45.
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