PSG in Strong Position but Defensive Cloud Hangs over Champions League Chances

Edinson Cavani’s second-half goal gave Paris Saint-Germain a 2-1 advantage over Chelsea going into the return leg at Stamford Bridge in three weeks’ time. After the game there were smiles all over the Parc des Princes pitch, but behind the joy, there will be levels of concern at the Parisian club.

"The big regret is to have conceded that goal just before the break,” Laurent Blanc admitted after the match, via Ligue1.com.

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Chelsea had chances and could have scored at another time, but it's still a shame to have conceded from a corner at that time. This match proves that our philosophy hasn't changed. From a footballing point of view, I am very happy with my team's performance, which wasn't necessarily the case in recent matches.

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For the first 20 minutes, PSG came out the blocks with confidence, assertiveness and control. They pushed Chelsea back, and passes were pinging around with accuracy and quickness. For anyone who has watched their performances in Ligue 1 this campaign, this was Blanc’s side at their very best.

Chelsea’s form has improved since Guus Hiddink’s arrival, and that could be seen when the London club slowly came back into the game. They were quick to close PSG down and were defending well from the front. They were only denied the lead by Kevin Trapp’s sensational save from a Diego Costa header.

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"You never feel good when you lose, but there is a second leg,” said Hiddink. “We only lost 2-1 and we got an away goal. We were well organised in defence, and we were good tactically, but we lacked killer instinct with the four or five chances we had.”

Despite all PSG’s possession and control of the game, Chelsea certainly had their chances. Costa’s header aside, in the second half, the Blues could have scored one or two more on the counter.

There are few doubts that the forward line and the Parisians' midfield is in a class above the norm, but Tuesday’s performance once against raised questions over the competency of the defence.

Serge Aurier’s disgraceful video performance at the weekend left the club without one of the best right-backs in world football. Marquinhos is an excellent central defender, but he is certainly not in the same bracket as the Ivorian in the full-back role.

Instantly you lose power, pace and a great attacking option down the right. The young Brazilian will undoubtedly go on to become a world-class defender, but that will be in the centre, not where he played on Tuesday.

It may be harsh on Marquinhos; he is playing out of position and is definitely a better defensive option than Gregory van der Wiel. Bigger concerns exist in the centre of the defence.

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David Luiz completely lost Diego Costa for the header that forced Trapp into his best save of the season, and the former Chelsea man was caught wanting when John Obi Mikel was left unmarked to equalise just before half-time.

Pitted against quality forwards his ability to track runs almost disappears, and his positional discipline is similar to that of a hyperactive puppy.

His Brazilian compatriot didn’t fare much better. Captain Thiago Silva made three fouls on the night, and apart from an early tackle on Diego Costa, didn’t look anything near the authoritative figure that he does so often in Ligue 1.

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PSG’s 24-point lead over the rest of France has led to opponents, more often than not, looking to limit the damage against the champions, rather than trying to compete. PSG very rarely face a test defensively to the same extent as they did on Tuesday—complacency has already been an issue, and there were elements of that to see against Chelsea.

At Stamford Bridge, although they hold a slender lead, PSG will need to improve all over the entire back line if they are to stand any chance of advancing to the quarter-finals.

Obviously good enough for success in Ligue 1, despite the amount of money spent on the Brazilian centre-back duo, there are still doubts that this defence is good enough to compete in the latter stages of the Champions League.