1:45 AM on April 9th, Chelsea vs PSG: A formidable challenge to overcome.

The 1-3 defeat in the first leg has left Chelsea with very little chance of reaching the Champions League semi-finals. Furthermore, The Blues have suffered significant losses in their squad. In these circumstances, it will be difficult for Jose Mourinho's team to overcome the formidable PSG.

It won't be easy for Chelsea (in white) to overcome a PSG team that is becoming increasingly formidable.

WHO SCORED FOR CHELSEA?

When Jose Mourinho brought Samuel Eto'o to Stamford Bridge last summer, he probably never imagined that the "Black Panther" would become such a great hope for the Blues as he is now. Indeed, never before has news of Eto'o's injury garnered so much attention from Chelsea fans. The fact that the Blues have to rely on an "old man who doesn't know if he's 32, 35, or even 40" shows just how desperate Mourinho is with his attacking options.

Last weekend, The Blues beat Stoke 3-0, but it was a game where the strikers made absolutely no impact. After so many years competing in the Premier League, Fernando Torres is returning to the level of a… young boy. If Eto'o doesn't return tonight, and Torres continues to be ineffective, who will score for Chelsea in a match where they absolutely must score as many goals as possible? When a team needs to score many goals but lacks players to put pressure on the opposing defense, it's truly a tragedy. And Chelsea is currently mired in that tragedy.

Furthermore, concerns arise in all other areas of The Blues' squad. Who will replace Ramires in central midfield? Have John Terry and his teammates recovered from the defensive disaster of the first leg? In short, Mourinho faces numerous challenges. And naturally, this leads to very little hope for The Blues.

Chelsea fans have been talking about the spirit of 2012, when they overcame Napoli after also losing 1-3 in the first leg (winning 4-1 in the second leg after 120 minutes). However, back then, Di Matteo had Didier Drogba to rely on. Tonight, who will be Mourinho's Drogba?

PSG are becoming increasingly formidable.

PSG's impressive performances aren't new. Even last season, the French giants played exceptionally well against Barcelona in the Champions League quarter-finals, only being eliminated by bad luck. A year later, PSG are now more experienced, mature, and much more developed. This was evident from the group stage, where they topped Group C, through the round of 16 (eliminating Leverkusen with a 6-1 aggregate score), and most recently, their convincing 3-1 victory over Chelsea. This means PSG have progressed steadily, rather than being just a fleeting phenomenon.

PSG are even more formidable because, at this time, Laurent Blanc's team is in incredibly good form. PSG are on an 11-match winning streak, the longest winning streak in the club's history. On the road, PSG are also unbeaten in their last 12 away games, winning 10 of them. That's incredibly impressive. Even the absence of their main striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic doesn't cause Blanc too much of a headache. Because without Ibra, they have Edinson Cavani, who played exceptionally well in the first leg and has been a nemesis for Chelsea in the past. Not to mention Lucas Moura and Javier Pastore are always ready to step in when needed.

In short, PSG seems to be becoming a formidable obstacle for Chelsea to overcome. Winning the Champions League in his first season back at Stamford Bridge is probably just an unrealistic dream for Mourinho!

“I’m all too familiar with these kinds of situations. We’ll take risks to win. Chelsea will create 90 minutes, or maybe even 120 minutes, for the fans to enjoy. Even if we lose, we have to lose with our heads held high.” - Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho

“A 3-1 lead is not yet safe. Chelsea are a particularly resilient team in European competitions. Therefore, PSG cannot afford to be complacent. We didn't come to Stamford Bridge just for a draw. PSG want to beat Chelsea on their home ground.” - PSG coach Laurent Blanc

100. History is against Chelsea, as 100% of French teams have progressed after winning by a two-goal margin in the first leg. Furthermore, since the Champions League's inception (1992/93 season), 78% of teams that won 3-1 at home in the first leg have gone on to advance. The Blues clearly face a mission to defy history if they want to eliminate PSG.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

- Chelsea have won 6 out of their last 7 home matches according to Asian handicap.

- 12 out of Chelsea's last 20 matches have had an even number of total goals.

- 16 out of Chelsea's last 20 home matches have had at least one goal in the first half.

- PSG have won 9 out of their last 12 matches according to Asian handicap.

- 14 out of PSG's last 20 away matches have seen at least 3 goals scored.

SPECIAL

At least one goal in the first half.

16 out of PSG's last 20 matches have seen at least one goal scored in the first 45 minutes. 17 out of PSG's last 20 away matches have followed a similar pattern. Chelsea, with nothing to lose, will push forward and are very likely to score in the first half.

According to Bongdaplus