Chelsea 'in transition' as PSG end Champions League dream
Zlatan Ibrahimovic strikes as French side knock the Blues out of Europe for the second year running
Chelsea 1 Paris Saint-Germain 2 [PSG win 4-2 on aggregate]
Chelsea were knocked out of Europe for the second consecutive season by Paris Saint-Germain as the French champions progressed to the quarter-finals of the Champions League. The 2-1 defeat at Stamford Bridge means the Blues will likely end the season without silverware and interim manager Guus Hiddink admitted it's not been the best period for the club.
"It is a difficult season," he told reporters. "We were almost panicking about relegation when I came in."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Chelsea currently lie tenth in the Premier League and their chances of qualifying for next season's Champions League rest on finding some form in the nine league games that remain while hoping their rivals lose theirs. No such uncertainty for PSG, who are not only leading the French league by 23 points, but are genuine contenders to lift this season's Champions League title.
Barcelona, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich will have something to say about that but any team that has a player of Zlatan Ibrahimovic's ability can't be taken too lightly. The veteran striker scored the winner on Wednesday night and he said of the victory: "We played with lots of patient possession and when we had a chance to strike we scored two goals. We had enough to win the game.
"Overall we played the way we wanted to. It was not easy, you have to watch out. Chelsea's front four are able to do anything. We are doing good things, where we end up we don't know. We are not satisfied yet."
Ibrahimovic was outstanding throughout, and it was his cross that enabled Adrien Rabiot to put the visitors 1-0 up after just 16 minutes. An away goal so early was a cruel blow for the Blues, but they fought their way back and when Diego Costa scored on 27 minutes hopes rose that a famous night might be brewing for the Stamford Bridge faithful.
But Costa limped off injured on the hour mark and seven minutes later Ibrahimovic killed off Chelsea's dreams once and for all, running onto Angel di Maria's pass to restore PSG's advantage and leave Chelsea with a nasty sense of deja vu. The French side knocked Chelsea out of the Champions League on away goals at the same stage of the tournament last season, and while they consoled themselves by winning the Premier League, this season they have the FA Cup and the distant prospect of fourth to consider.
"It is difficult to get into fourth place, there is a very big gap," said Guus Hiddink, referring to the ten points that separate the Blues from Manchester City, who currently occupy fourth place. "In my opinion, Chelsea are now in a transitional period."
Laurent Blanc said as much himself in admitting that he "thought it would be harder this year". It wasn't, however, with PSG returning triumphant once more across the Channel. "That's twice now we've won the tie here," reflected Blanc. "It's a sign that we're making progress in Europe. To go further, we must be lucky, but not just that, these ties are decided on details and an important detail is the draw. "
PSG have until March 18 to wait to see who they draw in the quarter-final but on the evidence of last night, few teams will relish facing the French side in the last eight.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Two ancient cities have been discovered along the Silk Road
Under the radar The discovery changed what was known about the old trade route
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
'People shouldn't have to share the road with impaired drivers'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Is academic freedom in peril?
Today's Big Question Faculty punishments are on the rise
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
Thomas Tuchel to become next England football manager
Speed Read 'Divisive' German coach hopes to lead the men's team to victory
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
The 'Swiss model' shaking up the Champions League
In The Spotlight Uefa says the new format offers 'greater excitement' but critics say boredom is guaranteed
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
‘Genuine visionary’: is Pep Guardiola the greatest of all time?
feature Spaniard has now won two trebles following Man City’s Champions League triumph
By The Week Staff Published
-
Champions League final: Man City vs. Inter predictions and preview
feature Can Guardiola’s team finally win the Champions League and complete a historic treble?
By Mike Starling Last updated
-
Premier League all-star game: ‘incredibly arrogant’ or natural ‘evolution’?
Talking Point Managers and pundits dismiss US-inspired idea from Chelsea co-owner
By Chas Newkey-Burden Published
-
Uefa Champions League 2022-2023 guide: group stage draw and key dates
feature Liverpool face Rangers while Man City’s Erling Haaland has a reunion with Dortmund
By Mike Starling Published
-
Raheem Sterling: Chelsea move ‘makes sense for all’
Why Everyone’s Talking About England star set for return to west London from Manchester City
By Mike Starling Published
-
Life after Roman: Chelsea’s new era begins after takeover is completed
feature Todd Boehly reveals his vision for the club, plus a look at the possible ins and outs at the Bridge
By Mike Starling Published