Cavani gives Paris the edge over Chelsea
Tuesday, February 16, 2016
Article summary
Paris 2-1 Chelsea
Edinson Cavani came off the bench to give Paris victory after John Obi Mikel had deflected in Zlatan Ibrahimović's free-kick before quickly equalising.
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- Paris Saint-Germain earn a slender advantage against Chelsea at Parc des Princes
- Zlatan Ibrahimović's deflected free-kick puts the home side in front (39)
- John Obi Mikel levels on the stroke of half-time (45+1)
- Edinson Cavani scores the winning goal four minutes after coming on (78)
- Round of 16 second leg takes place at Stamford Bridge on 9 March
An assured finish from substitute Edinson Cavani gave Paris Saint-Germain the edge in another tight UEFA Champions League tie against Chelsea after Zlatan Ibrahimović's deflected opener had been swiftly wiped out by John Obi Mikel.
With these clubs having met in each of the past two seasons, when either tie was decided on away goals after a 3-3 aggregate draw, Paris began determined to seize the early initiative. Before five minutes had elapsed visiting goalkeeper Thibaut Courtios had beaten out Marco Verratti's low, zipping shot from 20 metres before a 25-metre Lucas effort whistled just past the post.
A weekend hamstring injury to John Terry had forced Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink to reshuffle his defence for this last-16 first leg and the new face, Abdul Baba Rahman, also showed his worth as an attacking outlet midway through the opening period. The Ghanaian left-back sent a perfect cross towards Diego Costa, and only a superb fingertip stop from Kevin Trapp, clawing the ball up and against the bar, kept the scoresheet blank.
Ibrahimović then passed up a headed opportunity at the other end, getting between Branislav Ivanović and Gary Cahill only to nod tamely into the ground and over the bar from around eight metres.
Six minutes before half-time, Paris – and Ibrahimović – found themselves in another promising position as Lucas was tripped by Mikel 20 metres out, and this time they capitalised fully, albeit with the aid of a sizeable slice of fortune. Courtois looked to have Ibrahimović's fierce drive covered, but the ball struck Mikel on the end of the Chelsea wall and span away from the goalkeeper.
No matter; the visitors were back on terms before half-time. Willian took the corner from the right and Costa beat Ibrahimović to divert the ball to Mikel. The Nigerian had scored just five previous goals for Chelsea and none in 14 months – yet a fine first touch gave him the chance to hammer in a low drive from eight metres.
Paris regrouped at half-time and emerged in positive mood once again, Ángel Di María and Ibrahimović drawing spectacular stops from Courtois in the initial stages of the second period.
The Belgian custodian continued to be fully occupied, making another excellent save to deny Di María again moments after Ivanović had blocked from Blaise Matuidi at close range.
With 12 minutes remaining, Paris finally made their pressure tell. Though Cavani had only come on four minutes earlier, he was already attuned to the pace of the game when Di María lifted a pass into the box, evading Ivanović and firing low past the advancing Courtois from the angle.
The keeper fared better when Ibrahimović bore down on his goal in the closing exchanges, closing the space quickly to save with his left thigh, leaving Paris with a slender advantage to take to London.
Key player: Kevin Trapp
The Paris No1 conceded just once in the group phase and had been beaten only four times in his nine outings since matchday six – and showed exactly why tonight. Untested for long stretches, he nevertheless kept his concentration to make a stunning stop from Costa at full stretch, and was a calm and assured presence throughout.