Chelsea’s Champions League dream came to an end this evening after defeat to a thoroughly impressive Paris Saint-Germain side.
Goals from Adrien Rabiot and Zlatan Ibrahimovic either side of Diego Costa’s equaliser condemned Chelsea to 1-2 defeat, with the tie finishing 2-4 on aggregate to the French champions.
The home side were without captain John Terry, who is now unlikely to play European football for the club again, as the defender continues to recover from a hamstring problem.
A surprise inclusion to the starting lineup perhaps was Kenedy, who played ahead of Baba Rahman at left-back. Diego Costa returned to the starting lineup as Hazard, Pedro and Willian lined up behind the striker.
Despite Costa forcing the first save of the game from Kevin Trapp, Chelsea’s slow start meant that Adrien Rabiot could meet Ibrahimovic’s cross to tap the visitors in front.
The goal meant that Chelsea’s task transformed. From having needing one goal to win the tie, the Blues now needed two goals to force extra time.
This certainly seemed to wake Guus Hiddink’s men. Good pressure from Pedro in midfield won the ball for Chelsea before it was fed to Diego Costa, who did incredibly well to work the room for a shot and fire Chelsea back into the reckoning.
Half time certainly came at the wrong time for a revitalised home side and the fans who were starting to believe a comeback was on the cards.
Chelsea failed to replicate the intensity in the second half and a goal from Ibrahimovic, who met Angel Di Maria’s cross, could score to mean Chelsea required three goals to progress.
A lack of awareness from Azpilicueta allowed the former Manchester United winger in behind the defence before Zlatan, who had been boo’d throughout the game, settled the tie.
Beforehand, Diego Costa was forced off with a hamstring injury, meaning the main source of Chelsea’s hunger and desire was no longer leading the line. Eden Hazard also departed after PSG’s second following another lackluster performance (to put it kindly).
A quiet end to the game led to Chelsea bowing out of the Champions League. For how long they will be absent from the competition is now the pondering of many Chelsea fans.
For the second year in succession PSG were too strong for the Blues at the round-of-16 stage of the competition, and the Premier League champions look more likely to be playing Europa League football next term.
The gulf in class between the teams was clear, with Chelsea obviously not ready to challenge at the top of European football. A tough task indeed for whomever takes over in the summer.
Chelsea’s display following PSG’s opener left much to be optimistic about, but Hiddink will be worried by the fact that it takes a goal to be conceded to kick this Blues side into gear.
With just the FA Cup now to contest, Chelsea will assess the injuries of Diego Costa and Eden Hazard ahead of their trip to Everton on Saturday evening.
Chelsea 1-2 PSG – Stats and Facts
- Diego Costa has scored in each of his last five games at Stamford Bridge for Chelsea; his longest ever run for the Blues
- PSG have scored 10 CL goals against Chelsea, only Barcelona (18) have scored more
- First win for PSG on English soil (in 90 minutes)
- PSG are the first team to beat Chelsea in back-to-back Champions League games since Manchester United in April 2011
- Zlatan Ibrahimovic has now scored 30 goals in his last 31 games for club & country
