How Chelsea Is Likely To Line Up For PSG Clash

On Wednesday, the Premier League leaders would take on French Champions in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League round of 16 clash. The first leg which ended in a one all draw saw the French side mount waves of attack at the Chelsea defence but were only able to convert one of the numerous chances. PSG played so well that after the game, Chelsea boss, Jose Mourinho admitted that Paris Saint-Germain deserved to have won the game.

Rather than a midfield pairing of Nemanja Matic and Cesc Fabregas, Jose Mourinho opted to pair Matic with Brazilian, Ramires and moved Spanish International, Cesc Fabregas up front behind fellow country man, Diego Costa. This was done by Jose Mourinho in the first leg, recognising the need for extra power in the middle of the park, and also so that tactics can be changed during the game without the need for a substitution.

Red hot Eden Hazard was kept quiet for most part of the game and was not effective as he usually is for the blues, but rather it was Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Edison Cavani who were all over the blues with Thibaut Courtois forced repeatedly into making fantastic saves.

For the second leg, the blues welcome back Nemanja Matic, who has not played since he was handed a two-game domestic ban for a high challenge in February’s Premier League draw with Burnley, while Mourinho will be looking for more protection for Eden Hazard after the Belgium international was fouled nine times in the first leg.

As always, Jose Mourinho is expected to set up a very discipline team and gradually introducing in opposition minds a looming sense of despair about their prospects in the London when the final business of this tie will be conducted, the blues are expected to have most of the possession with Matic and Cesc Fabregas in midfield, the Spanish International is expected to feed the attack with possession to do damage to the Paris Saint-Germain back line which is expected to feature David Luiz who enjoyed success in this same competition with the blues in 2012.

Do not expect a classic Champions League game, but would make for a very interesting watch as Jose Mourinho looks to make his mark in the Champions League with Chelsea, something he’s desperate to do.