Chelsea vs PSG: Match Preview and Predicted Line up – New Signings and John Terry Missing
Chelsea are on a trip to French capital for to meet Paris Saint-Germain in the knockout rounds of the EUFA Champions League for the third consecutive season.
The two sides have met in each of the last two season, where Chelsea were knocked out by PSG on the same stage last season on away goals.
The Parc des Princes will play host for the fifth game between the two teams in two years, and this will see some of the world’s best players encounter each other yet again. The meeting can be termed as a meeting for familiar opponents because the previous encounter have arguably been negative and dirty with the more morally compromised team emerging the best on every occasion.
The Blues advanced in 2014 but the French giants returned the favor last year, advancing on away goals after forcing a draw with ten men.
The clubs’ league performances have been well-documented, with Chelsea’s current season being plagued numerous deficits: worrying lack of cohesion, dropping individual performance, doubtful attitudes and poor fitness that troubled the Stamford Bridge outfit at the start of 2016/16 campaign. On the other side, PSG have been dominating French football having set a new record of 32 games unbeaten in Ligue 1. Laurent Blanc’s men are quietly dominating French football 24 points ahead of Monaco.
Speaking ahead of the Tuesday’s clash, PSG manager Laurent Banc said: “John Terry, we know he’s experienced for his club and in the Champions League. He’s an icon for Chelsea.
“When he came off on Saturday, everything changed: Cesar Azpilicueta to the right; Branislav Ivanovic in the centre… the whole system changed.
“His absence would probably change everything in terms of the personnel at the back for Chelsea. We have been preparing to confront Terry in defence. If he’s not there, we’ll adapt.”
Chelsea boss is currently facing a major blow after his first-choice defenders Kurt Zouma and John Terry have all been ruled out, leaving him to make a partnership between Branislav Ivanovic and Gary Cahill. Terry has been left behind in London with a minor ligament and hamstring injury that he picked against Newcastle during the weekend. Chelsea will also miss the services of Alexandre Pato, who has not yet gained full match fitness, and Radamel Falcao, who is still recovering from a thigh injury.
Hiddink has included Oscar in the squad that travelled to France and the playmaker will feature in the game. Young defenders Jake Clarke-Salter and Matt Miazga have also been included but they are unlikely to feature.
Up until now, it has been confirmed that PSG will be without the service of dynamic fullback Serge Aurier, who has been suspended over periscope rant. Thiago Silva and Zlatan Ibrahimovic are expected to make a return after being rested.
Hiddink has said: “[PSG] are favorites – they have a good team and when you have such a record, it is a tremendous record. But we must go there and play with confidence.
“They can afford that [to make changes] because they are doing well and are unbeaten and they have more rest than us.”
Predicted Lineups.
Goalkeeper:
Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Thibaut Courtois; Cesar Azpilicueta, Branislav Ivanovic, Gary Cahill, Baba Rahman; John Obi Mikel, Cesc Fabregas; Pedro, Willian, Eden Hazard; Diego Costa.
PSG (4-3-3): Kevin Trapp; Marquinhos, Thiago Silva, David Luiz, Maxwell; Thiago Motta, Marco Verratti, Blaise Matuidi; Angel Di Maria, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Lucas Moura.