Adrien Rabiot and Zlatan Ibrahimovic were the culprits as Chelsea fell to Paris St Germain for the second time running in the UEFA Champions League yesterday night at the Stamford Bridge.
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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.
Next season appears nearly certain to be Chelsea’s first without Champions League football under the ownership of Roman Abramovich, who took over in 2003.
With the tie in the balance, Costa was forced off at the hour mark holding his thigh, and his absence was felt as just seven minutes later Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored the victor to knock the Blues out of the competition. The 20-year-old’s wayward passing in this situation presented Chelsea chances, but the Blues’ improved pressing also overwhelmed Thiago Motta, who encountered difficulties coping with Willian following Rabiot’s opener. We had chances to score in the 65th minute, we didn’t do so and in the 67th minute with a little attack they killed the game.
A small number of boos were audible when Hazard signalled to the bench and was replaced by Oscar during the second half of a 2-1 defeat at Stamford Bridge which confirmed Chelsea’s Champions League exit.
The 34-year-old Swede created the first and was on hand to finish the all-important second as he continues his quest for a first Champions League title.
But he made no mistake on the end of Angel Di Maria’s 67th-minute cross, granting him the centre-stage he so often craves and occupies as PSG progressed.
We’ll just savour our win and look for more as we’re far from satisfied with simply making the last eight! “He scored the decisive goal and laid on an assist”.
“We will get the benefit of that, me as coach, the players and the club”.
“We know they have threats”, McDermott said, “we know it wasn’t long ago they were winning lots of games and don’t forget they went to White Hart Lane, played one of the top teams, and won”.
“I think he’d suit Arsenal”.
“We have done good things – let’s continue to work hard and give our best”, he added. So, with this score Zenit had to score 2 more goals to secure the spot in the next round. It allows us to keep the ball with greater ease.
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It’ll nearly certainly be the last meeting we’ll have in the Champions League until at least the season after next as the top four isn’t likely for Chelsea, which he himself admitted.
