[wptab name=’Match Highlights’]
[leagueengine_show_season_match lid=23 sid=24 mid=117]
Full Match Highlights
All Goals
4′ Ezequiel Lavezzi
27′ (pen.) Eden Hazard
2-1 D.Luiz own goal
3-1 Pastore
[/wptab]
[wptab name=’Player Ratings’]
Qatari -backed defending French champions, PSG put one foot in the UEFA Champions League semi-finals after a stupendous 3-1 first-leg win over Chelsea at the Parc De s Princes Stadium. Ezequiel Lavezzi opened the score sheet after a weak headed clearance from Chelsea captain John Terry was comfortably controlled on the chest before driving a half volley into the roof of the net.
Despite getting an early lead, Laurent Blanc’s boys failed to capitalise on the 3rd minute goal, which resulted in the London club back on level terms as Eden Hazard converted from the penalty spot after Thiago Silva tripped Oscar inside the box.
PSG got their second goal of the night after a superb Lavezzi free kick onto the far post, which resulted in a David Luiz own goal. Chelsea, playing without a recognized striker, soon paid their price as Argentine Pastore danced in to the box, evading the likes of Azpelicueta, Terry and Gary Cahill to score into the near post in final moments of the night. Petr Cech had no option but to pick the ball from the back of the net.
Here are the match ratings from Parc Des Princes.
Paris Saint Germain
Salvatore Sirigu : 6
Sirigu had relatively a quiet night unlike his team mates. He showed sheer confidence throughout the game. He leapt the wrong side when Hazard scored from the penalty spot.
Thiago Silva: 7
A mistimed challenge on fellow Brazilian Oscar gifted Chelsea a penalty. He made number of interceptions on Hazard and Torres during the closing minutes of the game.
Alex : 6
Played comfortable against his former team. Made a clumsy foul to earn a booking.
Maxwell : 7
Denied Chelsea winger Willian any space to go through and defended well throughout the game.. Completed a 100 % passing rate success against the West London outfit.
Christopher Jallet : 7.5
Kept Hazard on the bay besides rampaging forward on every occassion to provide fine crosses into the box. He linked up well with midfield and was strong in the tackle.
Marco Verrati : 7.5
Dubbed as the ‘ New Andrea Pirlo ‘, the Italian kept his calm and composure and provided efficient through balls into the final third. It was a shame he got injured and will probably miss the second leg of this fixture.
Thiago Motta : 8
Tactically astute and crucial to Laurent’s Blanc’s side. Made a number of clean challenges to halt Chelsea on countless instances. He will definitely play a key role at Stamford Bridge.
Blaise Matuidi : 8
Read the game well and made the much required understanding between Ibrahimovic and Cavani. Intense work rate from the Frenchman and did just enough to track back and block the passing lanes.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic: 5.5
‘Ibracadabra’ had a quiet night at Paris by his unrivaled standards. He failed to test Cech and later dropped deep. Subbed in the 68th minute after he suffered a hamstring strain. It would be a big blow if he does not play in the second leg.
Edinson Cavani: 6
Worked hard to win the ball back and pressed the Chelsea defense intensively. Assisted Jallet in defending against Hazard and squandered a couple of chances in either half because of poor control of the ball.
Ezequiel Lavezzi : 8.5
Proved to be the biggest threat for Chelsea defense to handle all night. Opened the scoring after a brilliant finish past a helpless Cech. It was his free-kick that lead to PSG’s second, thanks to a Luiz own goal. Hit the side netting and took a reverse volley later in the game only to see it saved by Petr.
Substitutes
Cabaye: 6
Adapted well in the game after coming on for Verrati.
Lucas: 6.5
A direct approach from the Brazilian as his pacy acceleration to dribble past opponents proved successful and caused a lot of problems.
Pastore : 6.5
An emphatic one man skill as he rounded off the Chelsea defenders to score a brilliant solo goal after coming on for injured Ibrahimovic in the 84th minute.
Chelsea
Petr Cech: 5
Could do nothing to prevent PSG’s first goal. Looked in-confident at times but saved shots from Lavezzi and Cavani, when Chelsea needed him the most out of him. Blamed for Pastore’s goal as he was beaten at his near post and did little to protect the goal.
John Terry : 6
The nightmare from the Crystal Palace match haunted him at Paris as well, as his poor headed clearance gave Lavezzi to score the opener. He was rock solid since then, but once again commited little to rescue Chelsea from Pastore’s goal.
Gary Cahill : 6.5
A sensational tackle from the Englishman denied Cavani a good chance.Shaky in the initial moments of the game but made sure no PSG men got past the Chelsea back line.
Ivanovic : 6
Gave enough space for Lavezzi to breakthrough even though he provided the width for Chelsea’s attack although, the Serbian made some notable clearances.
Azpelicueta : 6.5
Not the best performance we have witnessed from the Spanish International. Started well but grew weary towards the end and did well to stop Cavani.
David Luiz : 5.5
It looked like he was not mentally prepared for the big game. An own goal from him added to Chelsea’s woe’s besides his cheap free kick.
Ramires : 6
Did not play like he usually does. Less influenced, agile and dynamic.He will miss the second leg due to suspension.
Oscar : 7
Earned his side a precious penalty after being felled by compatriot Thiago Silva. Unlike his team mates, he was pacy and created chances but lacked vision.
Eden Hazard : 7.5
Slotted in a calm and cool penalty to get the deserved away goal. He continued to be dynamic and impressive with his ball movements before striking a volley that hit the wood work.
Willian : 7.5
His athleticism was essential but lacked the flair to attack and was stopped by Maxwell on many occasions. Did not contribute defensively to the team.
Andre Schurle : 5.5
Picked in the starting XI ahead of Fernando Torres and Demba Ba but failed to be effective and influential as per Mourinho’s plans. Was invisible during the match.
Substitutes
Frank Lampard : 5
He let Pastore slip past him to drift inside the box and score. Came on as a sub for Oscar in the 72th minute.
Fernando Torres : 5
Did not utilize his pace and physique to trouble PSG and never poised to make a big impact after replacing Schurrle in attack.
[/wptab]
[end_wptabset]