..::Football III::..

[Wolverine GTR]

Terry to miss PSG clash with hamstring problem

Chelsea captain John Terry will miss the Blues' Champions League clash with Paris Saint-Germain after being ruled out with a hamstring problem.

The former England defender trained with his team-mates on Monday morning after limping out of the club's 5-1 win over Newcastle United on Saturday, but he has not been deemed fit enough to travel to France for the Round of 16 clash.

Terry was replaced by Baba Rahman at Stamford Bridge, the versatile left-back filling in at centre-half with Kurt Zouma also injured.

While the 35-year-old will miss the clash with PSG Oscar has travelled with the squad to Paris.

Oscar failed make the matchday squad for the encounter with the Magpies due to a calf injury, though he may feature against Laurent Blanc's side.

The meeting at Parc des Princes will be the third time in the last three seasons that the two teams have faced off, with Chelsea progressing in 2014 and PSG emerging triumphant last year.

The French champions are yet to lose in Ligue 1 this season, while the Blues sit in 12th in the Premier League.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Mata: Winning Europa League could save Manchester United's season

Juan Mata says Manchester United can still end their season in a positive fashion by claiming glory in the Europa League.

The Red Devils suffered their seventh Premier League defeat of the season on Saturday to Sunderland, leaving them six points behind Manchester City in fifth place.

Louis van Gaal has admitted his side's best hopes of securing Champions League football may now lie with winning the Europa League and Mata has urged his side to move on from Saturday's defeat."The only way to get to a better position is by working hard for the next game," he wrote in his blog.

"There is no other way. Mourning is useless now; besides, there are still many games to play and many things can happen this season.

"I understand and share your [the fans'] frustration, but once again the way to overcome the defeats and the complicated moments is, in my opinion, by standing united, working hard and never giving up.

"I understand this is not the best possible situation [being in the Europa League and not the Champions League], but it is what it is, and our goal is to keep advancing so we can have the chance to lift this trophy, which would come with a double reward.

"My personal experience tells me that if we work for it with excitement it could be a positive way to finish the season, as I lived three seasons ago [at Chelsea]."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Real Madrid are not unbeatable, says Keita

Roma midfielder Seydou Keita insists "no team is unbeatable" ahead of his side's Champions League clash with Real Madrid on Wednesday.

Keita won the trophy twice during his time with Barcelona and will come up against their arch-rivals once more with Madrid overwhelming favourites to progress to the quarter-finals, despite Roma's improvement under new coach Luciano Spalletti.The same can be said for Madrid, who are unbeaten in six games since Zinedine Zidane succeeded Rafael Benitez last month.

But despite Madrid's upturn in form, Keita remains confident Roma can find a way through over two legs."We have to play with confidence, take to the pitch and believe that we can do well," he told the club's radio station.

"The coach will work hard to prepare us in the best possible way. It will be a difficult game, they are a great side, but not an impossible one. No team is unbeatable.

"We are in a good period of form, we have won our last four games and the team is improving. We are on the right path in order to finish the season strongly."

The 36-year-old enjoyed a good record against Madrid during his time in Spain and is hoping for more of the same with the first leg coming at the Stadio Olimpico.

"The matches between Real Madrid and Barcelona are always played with great intensity, it's a bit like the derby against Lazio here," he added.

"They are special games for footballers, fans and clubs. I played several times against Real Madrid, also when I was at Sevilla and Valencia and I have good memories of those games.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Hiddink: PSG clash a great test for Chelsea


Guus Hiddink knows Chelsea will need to pass a big test against Paris-Saint Germain if they are progress in the Champions League this season.

The Premier League title-holders are in the French capital for the first leg of their round-of-16 tie with Laurent Blanc's side, but the two clubs have experienced starkly contrasting campaigns so far.

Chelsea started badly with only four wins from their opening 16 league matches, a run of form that saw Jose Mourinho sacked and replaced by Hiddink in December.Things have improved somewhat under the Dutchman and Chelsea now occupy 12th in the table after going 10 games unbeaten.

Meanwhile, PSG are yet to lose in Ligue 1 after 26 games this season, have reached the final of the Coupe de la Ligue and are in the last eight of the Coupe de France.

"I agree it's 50-50 [for the tie]," Hiddink told his pre-match media conference."Paris are building a very strong team, dominating the French league. "To become a great club, a team must win the Champions League, and they're certainly aiming for it.

"On our side, we've been improving since December, but it'll be a great test to get to the next round."He added: "We're growing. Everyone knows the current situation of Chelsea. We're improving step by step, with quality players.

"We are not yet where we want to be, to be able to impose our style of play, but we've had a string of games with dominant play from us.""So we have to find the answer."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

I am sure Man Utd are looking at Mourinho - David Luiz

David Luiz is sure Manchester United are looking at Jose Mourinho, and does not think his former coach would have any problems replacing Louis van Gaal.

Mourinho has been heavily linked with the Old Trafford club as Van Gaal comes under increasing pressure, and has suggested he will be back in management soon.

And the former Chelsea centre-back, who was sold to the Blues' Champions League last 16 opponents while Mourinho was in charge at Stamford Bridge, would not be surprised if the Portuguese joins United in the near future.

“Coaches come, coaches go, it’s part of football,” Luiz told reporters. “Jose won't be out of work for long, he never is.

"You can’t dispute the success he has had - that is why I am sure Manchester United are looking at him.

“I don’t think Jose would have any problem taking the Manchester United job. Yes, he will always care for Chelsea, but Jose does what is best for Jose.”

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Luiz Adriano not intent on leaving AC Milan, says agent

Luiz Adriano's agent is not aware of any new offers for the AC Milan forward, but insists the player is happy in Italy.

The Brazilian was close to joining Chinese Super League club Jiangsu Suning in the last transfer window, but the deal collapsed at the last minute after he reportedly pulled the plug.

Reports have suggested other Chinese clubs are still interested in acquiring Luiz Adriano's services, but agent Gilmar Veloz says it is down to Milan to decide on the 28-year-old's future.

"I'm not aware of any new offers from China for Luiz Adriano," Veloz told Calciomercato. "These are questions that should be put to the Rossoneri.

"We had the offer from Jiangsu, but you know how that ended, and I can't speak about another offer."We don't intend to find another club. Luiz Adriano is tied to Milan on a long contract and he's happy.

"Any negations would be totally down to Milan, but I repeat: I know nothing."
The Chinese Super League transfer window closes on February 26, but only three clubs have a spot left on their roster for a foreign player following a spate of high-profile overseas signings.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Robben: I'm getting better and better

Bayern Munich winger Arjen Robben feels he is getting back to his best after recovering from a range of injuries that have hampered his campaign.Robben has only made 11 Bundesliga appearances this season and missed his side's final four games of 2015 with injury.

However, the Netherlands winger has played in all of his side's matches in 2016, and though he is yet to find the net this calendar year, he is happy with the progress he has made."I'm coming in and getting better," he told Kicker.

"I can see that, against Bochum in the cup last Wednesday, it was good and it was good again in Sunday's 3-1 win over Augsburg. I was happy with my game.

"The collaboration with Thomas Muller and Philipp Lahm on the right side feels good and at the end of the game I could have scored."

Robben said the team was committed to delivering a good result for team-mate Holger Badstuber, who suffered a broken ankle in training on Saturday."It was a shock, but we have to try and put it into positive energy and create a win for Holger," he said.

"We did that and that is the character of this team. As painful as these injures are, you have to solve these problems."The team is together."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Nicky Butt appointed head of academy at Manchester United

Manchester United have announced former midfielder Nicky Butt will become the club's new head of academy.Butt, 41, is a graduate of the club's academy himself, having come through the ranks as a part of the famous Class of '92.

He made 387 appearances for the club between 1992 and 2004 and was a part of six Premier League triumphs, three FA Cup wins and a Champions League victory in 1999 as part of the club's historic treble.

Butt, who has been employed by the club in various coaching roles since 2012, said he was delighted to take on the role."It’s a privilege to take on this role," the former England international told the club's official website.

"As someone who learned his trade in the United youth set-up, it’s a huge honour now to be given the chance to lead the academy and to instil its values and attitudes to continue to create future generations of Manchester United players.

"It’s a big challenge but I am fortunate to be taking over a dedicated, first-class team. Our aim remains the same – to keep supplying the first team with well-coached, rounded players that understand the responsibility of playing for the biggest club in the world.

United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward said he was happy to make the appointment and hoped Butt could help continue United's tradition of promoting youth from within.

"Nicky has the traditions and heritage of this club in his blood and he is the natural choice to ensure that, in modernising the way the academy operates and shaping the new investment we are making, it retains the values and the focus that it has always had," Woodward said.

"Manchester United’s academy is completely focused on producing young players for our first team. As a graduate of its finest team in the modern era, Nicky will bring passion, energy and experience to drive the Academy forward, retaining the characteristics that give us a competitive advantage – namely an unmatched track record of player development together with the runway of first-team action.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Congratulations Nicky Butt!

​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Spalletti hails 'great teacher' Ancelotti ahead of Real Madrid clash

Roma coach Luciano Spalletti has hailed Carlo Ancelotti as a "great teacher" as his side prepare to take on Real Madrid on Wednesday.

Ancelotti delivered Madrid's 10th Champions League title in 2014 but was replaced by Rafael Benitez last year in what proved to be a disastrous short spell in charge for the former Liverpool boss.

Spalletti, who has guided Roma to four wins in a row after being appointed as Rudi Garcia's replacement in January, has credited Ancelotti with giving him a broader understanding of the game as he attempts to spring a surprise on his mentor's old club in the Champions League round of 16.

"He is my great teacher," he told AS. "He was doing great, as always, wherever he went. Ancelotti is the best that we have in Italy and here we have the best school for coaches.

"I learned everything from him. Every time I have dinner with him I learn everything I can from what he tells me about football. He's a great person and a great coach."

Spalletti believes former midfielder Zinedine Zidane, who replaced Benitez early last month, has the credentials to become an outstanding head coach given the traits he displayed during his playing career."I remember him well at Juventus," he said. "He was a fantastic player, a leader... and when you're like this, with this character, becoming a coach is easier.

"He has everyone's respect and that helps him with the impact of his new role. He's a real great."The important thing is not to lie [to players]. They realise that straight away and give you some odd looks.

"To earn their respect, you have to be loyal and show them the way. The Roma way... our way, our idea."I have a saying: 'Respect is earned, fear is imposed'."

Looking ahead to Wednesday's first leg in the Italian capital, Spalletti has singled out Luka Modric - a player he admitted he wanted to sign while at Zenit - as a key figure in Madrid's side, while also acknowledging the difficulty of finding a way to keep Cristiano Ronaldo quiet."I looked at him [Modric] during my time with Zenit but he was inaccessible. The club and I would have really liked to have him," he added.

"They are all very good, all of them. But what Cristiano has is impossible... having those qualities is very difficult, the speed, the strength. I know him very well, I played against his Manchester United six times with Roma."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

'Europe is Zidane's most important mission at Real Madrid'

Winning the Champions League is Zinedine Zidane’s most important mission at Real Madrid, says Jose Antonio Camacho.

The Frenchman will take charge of Los Blancos in the Champions League for the first time on Wednesday when they take on Roma at the Stadio Olimpico in their last-16 clash.

Camacho, who made over 400 appearances for Real as a player, says Zidane has a better chance of claiming glory in Europe this season than domestically, due to Barcelona’s dominance.

"Zidane will do everything to keep Real Madrid in elite football," he told Goal.

"Now he’s found a very strong Barcelona and that's a handicap. I think there's a better situation in Europe than in the Spanish league.


"The most important thing he can do now is to work with a positive mentality: they have to again believe that they don’t envy anyone and can beat anyone.

"They have to believe they can win the Champions League. The Spanish league too, but that title no longer depends only on them. Europe is the most important mission that Zidane will have this year, starting with the Rome clash.

"We have to give him time. Zidane has taken a team and is trying to put his stamp on it, but it is still early."

Cristiano Ronaldo is currently this season’s top scorer in the competition with 11 goals and Camacho paid tribute to the Portuguese’s contribution at the Bernabeu.
"Cristiano Ronaldo has already achieved success with Real Madrid," he added.

"He has been a player who was able to win and grow inside Real Madrid doing what he knows: scoring goals.

"And he is Real’s all-time top scorer. He is a player who has won two Ballons d'Or playing for Real Madrid, and other titles. It's very important.

"In nearly 20 years as a player, I never had a team-mate like him. He is fairly recognised, I think. And Cristiano will continue giving a lot of joy Real Madrid."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

AC Milan terminate Nocerino contract

AC Milan have confirmed that Antonio Nocerino has left the club as he draws closer to completing a move to Orlando City.

CEO Adriano Galliani confirmed on Monday that the 30-year-old's contract would be cancelled in order to allow him to move to MLS.

The Italy international's switch to Orlando is expected to be announced later on Tuesday after Milan confirmed his departure from San Siro."AC Milan communicates that it has today settled, by mutual agreement, the contract with Antonio Nocerino," read a club statement.

"The club wishes to thank Nocerino for the commitment, loyalty and professionalism he displayed in wearing the Milan shirt and defending the Rossoneri colours, and wishes him every success for the rest of his playing career."

Nocerino, who has made three appearances in all competitions this season, has spent time on loan with West Ham, Torino and Parma in the past two years after falling out of favour at Milan.

He will link up with former Milan team-mate Kaka at the Florida outfit.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Ancelotti on THAT Messi penalty: In Spain it's OK, but in Italy...


Carlo Ancelotti admits he was “surprised” by Lionel Messi’s penalty assist for Barcelona on Sunday, and has warned anyone thinking of trying something similar in Serie A that they could find themselves in hot water.

Barca were already leading 3-1 against Celta Vigo when they were awarded the spot-kick, with Messi opting to pass sideways from the penalty spot for Luis Suarez to roll the ball in and complete his hat-trick.

Opinion has been divided over whether the Ballon d'Or winner's actions were the mark of genius or disrespectful to Celta, but Ancelotti believes the Argentine was completely within his rights to try the trick.

“I was really surprised,” he confessed to Goal. “It is a rule, and if you respect the rules, you can do what you want.

“If you do this in Spain, it’s OK, but if you do it in Italy, maybe you’ll have more problems. But if you respect the rules, everything is possible.”
Ancelotti also discussed Barcelona’s current dominance over rivals Real Madrid, and warned them not to become complacent in the Champions League.

“Maybe now Barca are better than Madrid, but you never know what will happen in March or April, when the competition is in the most important moment,” the veteran Italian coach explained. “You have to be ready in April for the quarter-finals and semi-finals, and May for the final.

“Madrid are competitive like Barcelona, like PSG, like Manchester City, who aren't doing that well at the moment but they have possibilities in the Champions League.”
The ex-Chelsea and Madrid coach also stressed how difficult it is to retain the trophy, which no-one has achieved since Ancelotti was playing in Arrigo Sacchi's AC Milan team in 1989-90.

“Barcelona have a possibility to win it again because they have a fantastic squad, but you never know,” he said. “Maybe you are in fantastic condition now but in March or April you have some injuries and are not able to keep the same condition.

“They have the skills and the qualities to win the Champions League, but I’m not sure as no-one’s done it since Milan.”

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Tevez rejects $25m salary offer from Chinese club

Boca Juniors striker Carlos Tevez rejected an annual salary of $25 million (£17.4m) offered by Shanghai SIPG, Goal can reveal.

The Chinese Super League has imported a number of marquee stars in recent months, including former Chelsea midfielder Ramires, fellow Brazil international Alex Teixeira and Roma winger Gervinho.

Shanghai attempted to lure Tevez to Asia with an eye-watering salary package which would have seen the former Manchester City forward earn $480,000 (£335,000) per week.

The latest move is the second time Shanghai have offer the 32-year-old a staggering wage, with their previous offer of $20m (£13.9m) per year rejected ahead of the Argentine's summer return to Boca.

Boca are currently 12th in the Argentine Premier Division, most recently drawing 0-0 with Temperley.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Sherwood would suit Man Utd better than Mourinho, claims Parker

Manchester United would be better off appointing Tim Sherwood to save their season than Jose Mourinho, claims former defender Paul Parker.

The Red Devils are on course to win fewer than 60 points in the Premier League this term and record their lowest-ever total since 1991, as Louis van Gaal's struggles continued with a 2-1 defeat by Sunderland on Saturday.

Mourinho has been widely reported as a possible recruit ever since his sacking by Chelsea earlier this season but Parker believes that the Portuguese would be the wrong kind of personality to improve performances at Old Trafford.

"To suggest that he could walk in to a crisis situation at United and turn it around is absurd," Parker wrote of Mourinho for Eurosport. "That's something he's never done in his career and this really wouldn't be the time to start.

"He's lost a huge amount of respect in the game and I suspect the players at United hate the idea of him taking over.

"Frankly, given how unhappy the players are right now, they'd be better off bringing in Tim Sherwood between now and the end of the season: someone to soft-soap the players, give them a bit of a cuddle, get them feeling good about themselves once again.

"Sadly, as we've seen with Tim, those sorts of managers don't work long-term and United need to start thinking about the long term as soon as possible because, if not, they face the ultimate danger: turning into the new Liverpool."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Man Utd and Chelsea have problems but they'll bounce back - Ancelotti

Former Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti does not predict a long-term decline in the strength of the London club or rivals Manchester United, both of whom have endured difficult campaigns to date.

Though the Blues have reached the knockout stages of the Champions League, they are languishing in the middle of the Premier League table. Meanwhile, Louis van Gaal's side are faring a little better domestically but are not currently in line to qualify for Europe’s top competition next term, having been surprisingly eliminated from the group stages this time around.

"I think Manchester United and Chelsea have had problems - but different problems," Ancelotti told Goal.

"After their success last season, Chelsea lost some power and motivation. Manchester United were not able to build a team in comparison to last year.

"I'm sure that both teams will be competitive in the future."

Ancelotti enjoyed a successful spell at Stamford Bridge, winning the Premier League and the FA Cup during the 2009-10 season.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Arsenal are getting closer to Barcelona - Ancelotti

Arsenal are closing the gap in quality between themselves and Barcelona, former Real Madrid and Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti believes.

The Gunners are set to meet the Spanish champions in the last 16 of the Champions League, with the first leg taking place on February 23. While the English side crashed out at this point last term, Barca went on to win a fifth European title, but the Italian believes that the gap in quality is narowing.

"Arsene Wenger has changed their style of play, they're playing more on the counterattack, using the skills of their strikers – Mesut Ozil, Olivier Giroud and Alexis Sanchez," Ancelotti told Goal.

"Maybe they've closed the gap but Barcelona are really strong."

It has been five seasons since the teams last met in the Champions League, with Barca winning the previous tie 4-3 on aggregate after suffering a 2-1 first-leg reverse at the Emirates Stadium.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Ronaldo: I know why Messi took THAT penalty


Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo says that he understands why Lionel Messi decided to pass his penalty to Luis Suarez in Barcelona's 6-1 win against Celta Vigo.

The Barcelona star has been criticised by some for a lack of respect in passing from the penalty spot to allow his team-mate to round off his hat-trick late in the game.

Ronaldo, though, says that he knows why the Argentine opted for such a rare tactic in their trouncing of their opponents.
"Messi's penalty? I know why he did it but I don't have more to add," Ronaldo told reporters ahead of the first leg of his side's Champions League last-16 tie against Roma.

And while the Portuguese superstar did not go so far as to praise his Barca counterpart and perennial Ballon d'Or rival, he admits an admiration for Roma icon Francesco Totti.

"Totti is amazing, a reference for every player, and he has shown that age isn't important in football," Ronaldo enthused. "He is good for football, for kids and for everyone.

"This tie is as equal as Roma coach Luciano Spalletti says but, when the match starts, this can change. We will see at the end."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Fenerbahce 2-0 Lokomotiv Moscow: Souza double sets up commanding lead

Fenerbahce took the upper hand in the first of the Europa League round-of-32 ties with a 2-0 first-leg win at home against Lokomotiv Moscow.

Souza scored once in each half for the Turkish giants, the first the result of a superb cross from Gokhan Gonul that paid off strong and immediate pressure from the home side.

The second saw Souza side-foot home from close range after being supplied by Caner Erkin to give Fener the clear lead that their play deserved, with the Russian outfit rarely having been able to mount any real attacking pressure of their own.

The game had been moved forward to Tuesday on account of Galatasaray's home match against Lazio in the competition on Thursday and they would do well to win in similar comfort to their local rivals.

Lokomotiv goalkeeper Guilherme made a fine reaction save in the 12th minute when Robin van Persie flicked Volkan Sen's left-wing cross towards goal.

The opener arrived from the opposite flank six minutes later, Gokhan Gonul clipping a superb ball towards the six-yard box where an unmarked Souza nodded home.

Fenerbahce dominated the rest of the action until half-time, with Guilherme called upon to deny the impressive Nani and Sen, while Van Persie headed over.

A stinging drive from Petar Skuletic was uncomfortably saved by Fenerbahce goalkeeper Fabiano and skipper Aleksandr Samedov misjudged a header as Lokomotiv threatened a revival but they were kept on their toes as Van Persie almost converted Nani's flick-on and marauding full-back Caner tested Guilherme.

Fenerbahce duly gave themselves breathing space as Sen mesmerised the Lokomotiv defence and teed up Caner for a first-time cross which Souza converted with a cushioned volley.

Van Persie appeared disgruntled when he was replaced by Fernandao, although the powerhouse forward made his presence felt by glancing wide in the 88th minute and forcing Guilherme to push a header against the woodwork.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Paris Saint-Germain 2-1 Chelsea: Late Cavani strike sinks Hiddink’s men

Edinson Cavani came off the bench to score the winner as Paris Saint-Germain beat Chelsea 2-1 in the first leg of their last-16 Champions League at Parc des Princes.

The Uruguay international replaced Lucas Moura in the 74th minute and converted a crucial goal minutes after, firing beneath Thibaut Courtois to hand PSG a slender advantage ahead of the second leg at Stamford Bridge on March 9.

PSG appeared untroubled by the controversy that led to Serge Aurier's club-enforced suspension for alleged homophobic comments towards coach Laurent Blanc in the build-up to the game, but after a bright start they needed a save from Kevin Trapp to turn Diego Costa's header onto the bar in the 23rd minute.

The hosts' positive play eventually paid dividends when a deflection on Zlatan Ibrahimovic's free-kick wrong-footed Courtois following a deflection off John Obi Mikel for the opening goal.

The Nigerian made amends with a composed equaliser before the interval, but PSG were relentless in applying pressure after the restart.

After Angel Di Maria, Ibrahimovic and Lucas were all denied by Courtois, Cavani got the better of the Belgian with 12 minutes remaining to put PSG in the ascendancy and hand Guus Hiddink his first defeat in 12 since returning to Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea were without captain John Terry due to a hamstring injury and their defence quickly came under pressure from the hosts.

Marco Verratti - restored to the PSG line-up after a month battling a groin problem - forced Courtois into action inside three minutes, his swerving 25-yard drive parried away.

PSG maintained their high-intensity opening but Chelsea eventually gained a foothold in the game.

The visitors came close to taking the lead midway through the half, Costa peeling away from David Luiz and seeing his header from a brilliant Baba Rahman delivery palmed onto the bar by Trapp.

PSG controlled possession and went close through Ibrahimovic and Di Maria, but they finally broke through six minutes before half-time.

Mikel was booked for catching Lucas in a central position 20 yards out, and Ibrahimovic found the back of the net from the resultant free-kick via the Nigerian's shins.

However, Mikel atoned in first-half stoppage time, controlling Costa's flick-on from a right-wing corner superbly and smashing a half-volley beyond Trapp.

Trapp raced off his line to deny Costa once again following a rapid Chelsea break, while Courtois produced a pair of excellent saves to keep out Di Maria and Ibrahimovic in quick succession in an electric eight minutes after the restart.

PSG continued to pepper the Chelsea goal, but Courtois came out on top once more in the 61st minute, repelling Lucas from just inside the box.

Blanc's side continued to put the visitors under pressure, with Blaise Matuidi's shot blocked by a scrambling Branislav Ivanovic, before Di Maria had a curling free-kick parried wide with 67 minutes played.

Cavani came on after 74 minutes and got the better of Courtois four minutes later, latching onto a fantastic pass from Di Maria and slotting the ball under the onrushing goalkeeper.

Courtois stopped Ibrahimovic from adding a third in second-half stoppage time while Pedro slammed into the side-netting shortly after, but Chelsea will need to win to avoid elimination at PSG's hands for the second successive season.