Chelsea vs PSG: Player Ratings
It was much like a deja vu for the Blues as they exited the Champions League to PSG at the last 16 stage for a second season running as Guus Hiddink’s men were left with just the FA Cup and an unlikely top-four spot in the Premier League to play for. Bidding to upset an already ahead on aggregate PSG at home, Chelsea thought they had more than a fair chance at clutching a QF spot from the Parisians’ grasp in a top European affair that ended up being a not-so-nail-biting Round of 16, second leg clash. PSG finishing 2 goals at the night and 4 overall opposed to Chelsea’s 2 goals overall, 1 away and 1 at home meant a full stop to Chelsea’s European silverware hopes at Stamford Bridge itself in a 2-4 final result on aggregate.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic was the difference between the two sides when the giant striker crossed for Adrien Rabiot to tap in the opening goal from close range and later turned home Angel Di Maria’s centre to make it 4-2 on aggregate to see PSG progress into the Champions League QFs yet again this season.
Sadly for the Blues, 15 minutes into the second-half Costa, Chelsea’s best player on the night, was forced off with injury and the game turned on since that moment. With Chelsea requiring three more goals due to the away goals rule, the fight drained out of them as PSG waltzed their way to victory and to the last eight as well.
Catching your eye pin-pointing all the performances from the night at Stamford Bridge here are the player ratings of Guus Hiddink and Laurent Blanc’s men respectively:
Chelsea (4-2-3-1)
Courtois 6 – Sharp off his line, made some good saves, a top quality keeper.
Azpilicueta 6 – Solid defensively, got forward and had an excellent game.
Cahill 6 – The only Englishman on the show, given a thorough test.
Ivanovic 6.5 – Horribly exposed on PSG’s opener. Crucial early clearance.
Kenedy 7 – Looked every inch like a winger playing at full back.
Mikel 6 – Booked. Took one for the team with a tactical foul.
Fabregas 7 – Covered so much ground, worked so hard, back to form.
Pedro 6.5 – Worked hard, tenacious and influential for Chelsea.
Willian 7.5 – Worked hard, never stops trying to make things happen.
Hazard 7 – Took some heavy punishment, tried to make things happen.
Costa 8 – Ditched the mask, fired up, scored a terrific goal, went off injured.
Subs: Traore 6 (for Costa 60), Oscar 6 (for Hazard, 77)
Not used: Begovic, Rahman, Remy, Matic, Loftus-Cheek
Guus Hiddink 7 – Showed he can still hold his own among Europe’s elite. Had PSG on the ropes in the second half.
Paris Saint-Germain (4-3-2-1)
Trapp 7 – Excellent early save from Willian, made other good stops.
Marquinhos 6 – Chelsea have been keen on him, you can see why. Solid.
Silva 6.5 – Couldn’t live with Costa who turned him inside out.
Luiz 6.5 – Hardly put a foot wrong and it’s not often you can say that.
Maxwell 7 – Loves to get forward and sometimes got caught defensively.
Rabiot 6.5 – Booked. Grasped his big chance with the opening goal.
Motta 7.5 – Sat deep, pulled the strings and looked so composed.
Matuidi 7.5 – Very lucky not to be booked, reckless in his challenges.
Di Maria 8 – Shame he rarely played like this at Man United. Excellent.
Lucas 8 – His pace and movement a constant worry for Chelsea’s defence.
Ibrahimovic 9 – Outstanding, PSG’s best player, biggest threat and he scored.
Subs: Pastore 6 (for Moura, 77), Cavani 6 (for Di Maria, 82), Van der Wiel 6 (on for Matuidi, 87)
Not used: Sirigu, Stambouli, Kurzawa, Augustin
Laurent Blanc 7.5 – Looked to be on an easy street following a blistering start but was made to sweat by Chelsea.
MAN OF THE MATCH – Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Standout Performance for Chelsea – Diego Costa