5 Bold Predictions for Chelsea's Champions League 2nd Leg with PSG
Chelsea came away from Parc des Princes this week with a well-earned 1-1 draw against Paris Saint-Germain.
Jose Mourinho’s side rode their luck at times and had Thibaut Courtois to thank for some world-class saves late on to keep them on par with their opponents.
Branislav Ivanovic put Chelsea ahead in the first half before Edinson Cavani scored with a header of his own to draw PSG level shortly after the interval.
Thus, the return leg of this Champions League last-16 tie will be finely poised.
Jose Mourinho’s side can claim to have the upper hand with their away goal, but PSG will be quietly confident that they are far from out of it.
There was plenty of drama when these sides met in the quarter-final of the Champions League last term, so will we see similar scenes when they lock horns once more at Stamford Bridge on March 11?
Bleacher Report makes five bold predictions ahead of the second leg.
Hazard Will Be the Target of More Rough Treatment
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It was clear from the outset that Laurent Blanc’s game plan was to ensure his players snuffed out the threat of Eden Hazard—by any means necessary.
The Paris Saint-Germain defence swarmed around the Belgian whenever he was in possession, which meant his influence on the game was limited.
On the whole, PSG did a good job of marshaling Hazard, but there were times when things boiled over, notably when Marco Verratti hacked him down in the second half.
Indeed, Hazard was fouled an incredible nine times at the Parc des Princes, a statistic that shows just how closely he was watched.
Jose Mourinho complained about that fact in his post-match press conference, but his opposite number Blanc will have no complaints regarding the conduct of his players.
The PSG manager got the outcome he hoped for. We can expect more of the same at Stamford Bridge.
Kurt Zouma to Start Ahead of Gary Cahill
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Gary Cahill remains an excellent defender, but the emergence of Kurt Zouma in the past few weeks means his place in the Chelsea line-up is under serious threat.
Zouma has taken his time to settle at Chelsea but is now looking like an excellent investment.
The French youngster has been solid alongside John Terry. When caught out by an opponent, his recovery has impressed, snuffing out the threat.
Cahill has come in for some harsh criticism on the back of Edinson Cavani’s equaliser after the PSG frontman ghosted in behind him to nod home.
It’s true that Cahill misjudged the delivery that led to that goal, but there were errors elsewhere that allowed PSG to get in behind Chelsea.
Cahill can feel hard done by with the blame falling solely at his door, but that may not prevent Jose Mourinho opting for Zouma in the second leg.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s Barren Spell Against Jose Mourinho Will Continue
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Zlatan Ibrahimovic has never scored against a team managed by Jose Mourinho, and we can expect that record to continue at Stamford Bridge.
The Swede had some good efforts on goal at Parc des Princes in the first leg, yet they were no more than half-chances.
Ibrahimovic was forced to drop deep to receive possession, and the Chelsea defenders did a good job of containing his threat.
Working against Nemanja Matic, John Terry and Gary Cahill, Ibrahimovic did not have the space he likes to exploit and was forced to live off scraps.
Chelsea will try the same tactic in the second leg, and given its success in Paris, we can expect it to prove just as productive.
Cesc Fabregas Will Continue as Chelsea’s No. 10
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Laurent Blanc was bold in his decision to deploy David Luiz as his defensive midfielder against Chelsea.
It was the first time the Brazilian had played there for Paris Saint-Germain, and he did an OK job.
He wasn’t great, though, and Cesc Fabregas came out the winner in their midfield battle.
Fabregas has recently returned from a hamstring injury and was also nursing the flu, so he wasn’t 100 per cent against PSG.
That counted for little, however; he bossed Luiz, often leaving him in his wake.
Given the success of Fabregas in that role—his more natural position, as opposed to the withdrawn role in the pivot we have seen this season—Jose Mourinho may well deploy him there again, regardless of whether Luiz plays in midfield.
It will mean Ramires can play alongside Nemanja Matic in the pivot and provide more muscle in defense, since Chelsea know that if they keep a clean sheet, the quarter-finals beckon.
There Will Be More Outrageous Celebrations from Jose Mourinho
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Last season, Demba Ba’s last-ditch goal against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League sent Stamford Bridge into raptures.
It also sent Jose Mourinho running down the touchline to celebrate with his players in front of the Matthew Harding Stand.
Mourinho may not have to behave so dramatically this time, but we can be sure he’ll be on the pitch come the final whistle, celebrating another victory with his team.
The Champions League brings the best (and worst!) out of the Chelsea boss, and getting one over on PSG in successive years will be a source of great pride for him.
Make no mistake: PSG are still in this tie, but it’s difficult to look beyond Chelsea. Especially at home.
Garry Hayes is Bleacher Report's lead Chelsea correspondent. All quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow him on Twitter @garryhayes.
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