For the third time in the history of the Champions league, PSG will be taking on Chelsea FC in the knockout stages. Clashing in the Round of 16, this fixture is a repeat of last year where they faced off at the same stage. The sides also faced off in the Quarter finals of the 2013-14 season which saw Chelsea advancing on away goals. Roll back time 10 years, they have faced each other in the group phase of the 2004-05 season, Chelsea topping the group and PSG finishing dead bottom.
In totality, the clubs have played each other on 7 occasions, 6 times in the UEFA Champions League and once in a club friendly in 2012. Chelsea holds a superior head to head record winning 2 out of the 7 played, drawing 4 games and losing just 1. Chelsea have scored 10 and conceded only 7 against the team from Paris.
Although 4 games out of 7 have been draws, the 2 clubs have never failed to entertain fans. Chelsea fans have seen some wonderful strikes by Didier Drogba who scored twice in the 2004 group stage match which they won 3-0. A surprising stat, main man Zlatan Ibrahimovic hasn’t scored yet against Chelsea. David Luiz, who has played for both clubs has even scored for both clubs. An own goal for PSG in the 2013-14 season and then an 86th minute equaliser last year, scoring for both Chelsea and PSG, respectively.
Chelsea on the back of some morale boosting wins particularly the 5-1 win against Newcastle have their sights set for a victory away from home. It won’t be easy, PSG are on a 32 game unbeaten streak at home and have already have the French title in their pocket. Key players for the respective clubs will be Lucas Moura, Edinson Cavani and Kevin Trapp for PSG, Diego Costa, Willian and goalie Courtois for the London-based club.
Facing off in this year in the Champions League again, the first leg sees PSG host the defending champions of the English Premier League on 17th Feb (1:15 am IST). An intriguing clash awaits us as the magic of European football resumes.
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