01:45 April 9, Chelsea vs PSG: A high mountain is hard to climb

The 1-3 defeat in the first leg has left Chelsea with little chance of reaching the Champions League semi-finals. In addition, The Blues have suffered major losses in terms of personnel. In such circumstances, it is difficult for coach Jose Mourinho and his team to overcome the "mountain" PSG.

It's not easy for Chelsea (in white) to overcome an increasingly capable PSG.

WHO SCORED FOR CHELSEA?

When Jose Mourinho brought Samuel Eto'o to Stamford Bridge last summer, he probably never thought that the Black Panther would become the great hope of The Blues like now. Indeed, never before has Eto'o's injury news been of such interest to Chelsea fans. When The Blues have to place their hopes on an "old man who is not sure if he is 32 or 35 or even 40 years old", it shows how desperate Mourinho is with his strikers.

Last weekend, The Blues defeated Stoke 3-0 but that was a match where the strikers had zero impact. After many years of fighting in the Premier League, Fernando Torres is returning to the level of a… boy. If Eto'o doesn't return tonight, Torres continues to be useless, who will score for Chelsea in a match where they are forced to score as many goals as possible? When a team needs to score many goals but lacks someone to put pressure on the opponent's defense, it is truly a tragedy. And Chelsea are drowning in that tragedy.

Not only that, worries also appear in all the remaining lines of The Blues. Who will replace Ramires in the center of midfield? Will John Terry and his teammates wake up from the defensive disaster of the first leg? In short, too many difficulties for Mourinho. And of course, too little hope for The Blues.

Chelsea have talked about the spirit of 2012, when they overcame Napoli after also losing the first leg 1-3 (they won the second leg 4-1 after 120 minutes). But that year, Di Matteo still had Didier Drogba to rely on. Who will be Mou's Drogba tonight?

PSG IS GETTING MORE AND MORE SCARY

It's not until now that PSG has made an impression. Right from last season, the rich French team played extremely well against Barca in the Champions League quarter-finals and only due to bad luck did they get eliminated. A year later, PSG is now more confident, more experienced and much more mature. All of this was shown from the group stage, when they led Group C, to the round of 16 (eliminating Leverkusen with a total score of 6-1), and most recently, the convincing 3-1 victory over Chelsea. This means that PSG has progressed through a certain process, not as a phenomenal team.

PSG is even more frightening because at this time, coach Laurent Blanc's team is in extremely good form. PSG is having 11 consecutive wins, the longest winning streak in the club's history. Away from home, PSG is also unbeaten in the last 12 away matches, winning 10. Too impressive. Even the absence of main striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic does not cause Blanc too much of a headache. Because without Ibra, there is an Edinson Cavani who played extremely well in the first leg and was Chelsea's nemesis in the past. Not to mention Lucas Moura or Javier Pastore are always ready to replace when necessary.

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

“I am used to these situations. We will take risks to win. Chelsea will create 90 minutes or maybe 120 minutes for the fans to enjoy. Even if we lose, we will lose with our heads held high.” - Coach Jose Mourinho (Chelsea)

“The 3-1 score is not safe. Chelsea is a team with a special spirit in European Cup. Therefore, PSG cannot be subjective. We did not come to Stamford Bridge just to get a draw. PSG wants to beat Chelsea right on their field”. - Coach Laurent Blanc (PSG)

100. History is against Chelsea, with 100% of French teams progressing after winning the first leg by two goals. Furthermore, since the Champions League was launched (1992/93), 78% of teams have gone on to win the first leg 3-1 at home. The Blues are clearly facing a mission to defy history if they are to eliminate PSG.

SURROUNDING INFORMATION

- Chelsea won 6/7 recent matches according to Asia at home.

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

- 16/20 of Chelsea's recent home matches have had at least 1 goal in the first half.

- PSG won 9/12 recent matches in Asia.

- 14/20 of PSG's recent away matches have had at least 3 goals.

SPECIAL

At least 1 goal in the first half

16/20 of PSG's recent matches have had at least 1 goal in the first 45 minutes. 17/20 of PSG's recent away matches have had a similar scenario. Chelsea have nothing to lose so they will attack and will most likely score in the first half.

According to Bongdaplus