Paris: Fresh from a rare weekend off, Chelsea recommence their bid for Champions League glory today when they face injury-ravaged Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of their last-16 tie at the Parc des Princes.
With a shock defeat to third-tier Bradford City last month meaning Jose Mourinho’s side were not involved in the fifth round of the FA Cup over the weekend, Chelsea were able to put their feet up and watch Paris endure the worst possible preparations for one of the glamour ties of the round.
“The rest is welcome for us. In the end they have only one game that we don’t have. It’s only one more game, but I welcome this little rest for the players,” said Mourinho before discovering what happened to PSG in a catastrophic afternoon against Caen.
The reigning French champions lost Yohan Cabaye, Marquinhos, Serge Aurier and Lucas to muscle injuries during the home Ligue 1 game, that saw them finish with just nine men and draw 2-2 after conceding two late goals.
Paris coach Laurent Blanc later admitted that the quartet were almost certain to miss the rematch with a Chelsea side who won when the clubs clashed in the quarter-finals of the same competition last year.
With Blaise Matuidi taking a knock in the same match and Javier Pastore battling to recover from a calf problem in time, PSG captain Thiago Silva was left to complain that his side’s European prospects had not been helped by the powers that be in the French game.
“I think the league could have protected us,” Silva told sports daily L’Equipe after a result that ensured they would remain two points behind Ligue 1 leaders Lyon. “The French authorities must think a bit more about PSG, but also Monaco (who face Arsenal in the last 16).
“It is very hard to play every three days. And for a special event like this match against Chelsea, the match against Caen could have been rearranged to allow us to prepare better.”
Silva was in the PSG side that beat Chelsea 3-1 at the Parc des Princes in the first leg of their last-eight tie almost a year ago, when his compatriot David Luiz scored an own-goal.
However, counters from Andre Schuerrle and Demba Ba helped Chelsea win 2-0 in the return to go through on away goals.
Meanwhile, Bayern Munich are confident they have returned to top form just in time for their Champions League round of 16 first leg against Shakhtar Donetsk today after their biggest Bundesliga win in 31 years on Saturday.
The German champions’ dress rehearsal ahead of the trip to Ukraine was a resounding success as they demolished Hamburg SV 8-0 in a flawless performance that saw Dutchman Arjen Robben continue his impressive form by scoring two goals. Victory for Bayern, who had won just one of the previous three league games before Saturday’s drubbing of Hamburg, delighted coach Pep Guardiola after his side made a stuttering return from the winter break.
“Now we can focus on our first Champions League game this year. I am happy that our playing style is back,” the Spaniard said. “Obviously the mood in the team is now much better.”
Guardiola will recall midfielder Xabi Alonso for the game in Lviv after he was rested on Saturday, while winger Franck Ribery and defender Rafinha are in contention after recovering from injuries in time to play against Hamburg. Defender Jerome Boateng will also make the trip after sitting out a two-match ban in Germany. Shakhtar, hosting Bayern in Lviv as their hometown is at the centre of a military conflict, would have wished for an easier challenge in their first competitive game after a two-month winter break.
However, Shakhtar, who are looking for their first home win against a German side for over 35 years, filled their lack of domestic action by training in Brazil in January.
Brazilian striker Luiz Adriano, who netted nine times in the Champions League group stage, believes Shakhtar are well-prepared for the visit of Bayern.
“We have paid a lot of attention to find out their weaknesses,” he said. “We want to know everything about our rivals so there are no surprises during the game as they are not always pleasant.
“Our first task is to win. We would never be content with a draw, even against Bayern.”
Shakhtar will be without defensive midfielder Taras Stepanenko who is banned, while striker Bernard is an injury concern with a ligaments inflammation.
“They are in a different pace, playing competitive games every three or four days,” said Adriano.
Agencies
