Chelsea FC: A Mourinho Result But Not A Mourinho Performance
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While Chelsea FC will be ecstatic with an away goal which gives them the advantage in the return leg of the Champions League round of 16 at Stamford Bridge, there were times — especially after PSG’s match leveling goal — when they were eviscerated by the French side’s attacking play.
With an interlocked central midfield limiting attacking space for creative central midfielders in advanced areas, and both teams playing a more controlled and patient style of football, looking to first protect themselves before attacking on the counter, PSG were the more attacking side.
They created nine chances from open play (compared to Chelsea’s two chances), finding their best opportunities from the counter attack and by playing the ball wide around Chelsea’s organized press, and crossed the ball into their oppositions penalty box.
PSG found success on both flanks as their first two chances were created by crosses coming in from the left. Cavani picked out a free attacking run from Matuidi, and foreshadowing the match leveling goal which was to come later, Matuidi drifted wide and crossed to Zlatan Ibrahimovich who out-jumped Chelsea center back John Terry, but only headed the ball straight into Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
On their opposite attacking flank PSG right back Gregory Van der Wiel was given the freedom to overlap and attack with four gilt edge opportunities.
Despite playing on the back foot, in the 36th minute, Chelsea took the lead and the advantage in the tie after recycling possession of the ball from a failed free kick. John Terry crossed the ball to fellow center back Gary Cahill, who provided a wonderful flicked pass for Branislav Ivanovic. The Serbian’s header found its way to the back of the net, giving Chelsea a vital away goal and a 1-0 lead.
It was now that a classic Mourinho performance was expected, and for the remainder of the first period Chelsea was able to sit in their deep 4-4-2 and deny PSG any scoring opportunities.
“In the second half PSG relentlessly attacked Chelsea down their left flank, and many times Chelsea were powerless to stop them. In the second period PSG created six chances from open play, all down their left side…”
In the second half PSG relentlessly attacked Chelsea down their left flank, and many times Chelsea were powerless to stop them.
In the second period PSG created six chances from open play, all down their left side, with the first leveling the match in the 54th minute. Again, Matuidi drifted wide to the left flank, this time overlapping PSG leftback Maxwell, and crossed the ball to Cavani, who exploited the positioning of Gary Cahill to give PSG their first goal of the tie.
Chelsea provided little more for the remainder of the match. Their attacks were sparse and generally ineffective, neither creating a chance nor generating a shot in the second half.
Their defense — which is Mourinho’s calling card — was penetrated repeatedly. A man-of-the-match performance from Courtois (8 saves) and missed late opportunities from Cavani and Ibrahimovic, the only things salvaging the draw and leaving a positive result for the Blues.
Chelsea will enter the second leg of the tie with an away goal and in pole position to advance to the next round. However, Mourinho must sort out his attack, most likely by recalling Oscar to his central attacking midfield position, and replacing Ramires with a fit Fabregas, allowing for better transition play from defense to attack.
Mourinho will also have a match-ready Diego Costa, who struggled with his energy levels after serving put a three-match ban. Starting Juan Cuadrado at right winger should put more pressure on Maxwell — PSG’s leftback — forcing him to play deeper and stunting the effectiveness of the attack down their left flank.