Champions League Quarterfinals Leg 1
PSG 3-1 Chelsea
After a tied half at 1-1, a half where Cheslea responded to Lavezzi early strike to give PSG the lead entering the 5th minute. A 2-1 score was in hand with a sole goal to score at Stamford Bridge. A sudden and last run from Argentine Javier Pastore, set PSG coming to London with a two goal advantage.
Chelsea coach Mourinho:
‘From a strategic point of view the team had great discipline and they did the most difficult things to do in the game very well,’ said Mourinho.
‘They stopped Ibrahimovic, when he dropped back to play in midfield and between the lines he was completely under control. Cavani was under control, Thiago Motta and Verratti in the centre of the pitch were under control and the full-backs, who go forward a lot, were under control.
‘We recovered seven or eight balls in dangerous positions where we found them two against two or three against three, but we couldn’t transform these half-chances into goals. On top of that we made defensive mistakes, individual defensive mistakes. We paid the price.
‘The ball went to Lavezzi for the first goal. Top player, top striker – it’s like this at this level. We had the chance to go 2-1 up at the end of the first half. Then we scored an own goal and the third goal was a joke. It was not a goal, it was joke. We enjoyed the third goal with Pastore because it was Pastore and us. ‘It’s difficult for us to score goals, especially when the games are tight. When you make defensive mistakes you are in trouble, that’s simple.
‘We made individual mistakes in areas where for the whole season the guys have performed and they have the right to do that.’ We are not out. We will try to turn it around. We have nothing to lose. We have to play thinking that it’s possible. To be fair I don’t think Paris think it’s done. They feel they are in a good position but they know it’s not over.
‘We are losing 3-1 so what can be our approach? Defend the 3-1?! It’s an easy approach. A difficult approach is when we drew 1-1 with Galatasaray and when we played at home. We could attack and try to control the game or be defensive.
PSG coach Laurent Blanc:
“The important thing is that we scored that crucial third goal. We produced a really excellent second half and created a lot of chances. Importantly, we didn’t give Chelsea any room to operate in. We made a few mistakes after opening the scoring. Chelsea caused us some big problems in the first half, but we imposed our own football in the second. We always know the return leg at Stamford Bridge was going to be difficult, no matter what the result here tonight in Paris.”
Javier Pastore
“It’s an excellent result to win 3-1 against Chelsea in a really good match of football. I am very happy to have scored that third goal, because it will be an important goal in the return leg. Chelsea are a great team with great players so we will have to stay focused there, because it is still a Champions League quarter-final.”
