Chelsea interim manager Guus Hiddink backed Paris Saint-Germain striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic to remain in Europe should he not extend his contract with the Ligue 1 champions.
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PSG’s opener served as a fine example – with Di Maria in a central midfield zone, Rabiot’s forward run into the box saw Ibrahimovic dart into the right channel to receive the Argentine’s reverse ball, and deliver a sumptuous cross for the 20-year-old midfielder to convert.
Having netted 19 times in all competitions last campaign, Hazard has scored just two goals in 38 appearances so far, leading to speculation over his future with suggestions that he is eager for a move to PSG.
Chelsea’s Baba Rahman and Maccabi Tel Aviv’s Gal Alberman (on floor) battle for the ball during the UEFA Champions League match at Stamford Bridge, London. That was after he was seen swapping shirts with PSG winger Angel Di Maria at half-time. I don’t want to see a bad thought about that.
“We still have nine league games to go and one competition, the FA Cup, to fight for and to win”.
Hiddink felt Chelsea showed PSG too much respect early on and were punished when seeking a second goal.
The hosts, however, lost their cutting edge when Costa went off injured and Ibrahimovic turned in Di Maria’s cross from close range after 67 minutes, meaning Chelsea needed to score three times to win the tie. ‘We tried to the end to score more goals but it was not possible.
“We knew Costa wasn’t totally fit, but he wanted to play”, the Dutchman said. “But a goal and an assist will do him well, and the coach and the club get the benefit”.
PSG now join Wolfsburg, Benfica and Real Madrid in the quarter-finals and Ibrahimovic remains hopeful of a French triumph this season.
“I don’t think it will give him any more confidence”, Blanc said.
Motta s astute pass to the left found Di Maria in acres of space and his fine cross was volleyed in emphatically by Ibrahimovic.
In the face of this looming disaster, Vice-captain Branislav Ivanovic retains his confidence in the current Chelsea squad, claiming that the team has enough quality to win the FA Cup this season and come back stronger in the Premier League in the next one.
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“It’s a pity for a team that pushed so well and created some great chances that we end up losing this game and the tie”, he said. However, though the French champions displayed improved care in possession at the start of the second half, Chelsea continued to drive into key areas.
