Zlatan Ibrahimovic was pleased to atone for his red card against Chelsea last season as he inspired Paris Saint-Germain to a 4-2 aggregate Champions League triumph over the reigning Premier League champions.
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The 34-year-old striker set up Adrien Rabiot to slot home in the 16th minute of the last 16 second leg at Stamford Bridge as PSG went 3-1 up on aggregate.
PSG advanced to a fourth straight Champions League quarter-final while the Blues are left to contemplate the probability of being absent from the competition next season.
“He’s proving already, many, many years, what kind of player he is”, said Hiddink. “We are happy at the moment, but still not satisfied”.
Will feel disappointed to have first allowed Rabiot to get past him and tap in the opener before completely losing Di Maria in the build-up to Ibrahimovic’s goal.
Chelsea’s only defeat since the appointment of Hiddink as interim successor to the sacked Jose Mourinho was in Paris on February 15, but John Obi Mikel’s vital away goal leaves the tie finely poised.
Roman Abramovich took control of Chelsea in July 2003 – two months after a final-day victory over Liverpool secured a place in the Champions League.
Ivanovic had earlier prevented a PSG goal by sliding in and clearing the ball after keeper Thibaut Courtois had been beaten by Di Maria’s angled shot. Although, I must say that we had young Kenedy, making a [full] Champions League debut at left back and he was excellent. It was not easy because when you play against a team like Chelsea you have to watch out – their four players in front are able to do anything. We had enough to win the game.
PSG coach Laurent Blanc said Ibrahimovic had been performing well in the French League this season but he had not managed to quieten his critics until now.
“We knew he was not totally fit but he desperately wanted to play and scored a lovely goal”, he told BT Sport.
“We will see if there is big damage tomorrow”, Hiddink said.
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“My respect, my love for Chelsea, will always be the same”, the Brazil worldwide said, “but I hope we can come out as winners there”.
