Paris Saint Germain 1-1 Chelsea: 5 things we learned

Champions League Match Review:

Coming into this match on the back of an un-impressive draw against Ligue 1 side FC Caen, PSG were looking for a solid performance against the Premier League leaders to re-energize their fans. However, when Gary Cahill headed the ball into the back of the net at 36 minute mark, it looked more like the polar opposite of last time when Chelsea were stunned by a 3-1 hammering.

However, after that goal by Edinson Cavani as he headed the ball home, it took some stunning saves by Thibaut Courtois to deny PSG.

Here are 5 things that we learned from this fixture: –

Thibaut Courtois to the rescue

From that Capital One Cup semi-final at Anfield to yesterday’s draw at Parc des Princes, the Belgian has been influential in big matches for Chelsea this season. Like that game against Liverpool where the Belgian stood tall to deny Liverpool lots of goal-scoring chances, Tuesday’s draw against Paris Saint Germain could only be attributed to the form of the young Belgian.

Thus, with only 22 years of life under his belt, Thibaut Courtois might over-take Petr Cech in heroics.

Game of two halves

When they say that football is a game of two halves, this fixture proved to be a reminiscence of this statement. In the whole 90 minutes at Parc des Princes, Chelsea attempted just 2 shots on goal, 1 of which was on target and resulted in their lead. Both of those shots came in the first half.

When the 2nd half kicked off, Paris Saint Germain came out with a mission and almost took Chelsea by storm right from the offset. From that Edinson Cavani effort at 51st minute which levelled the goal-scoring, it was all PSG as they looked set to break the bubble. However, give credit to Thibaut Courtois or some poor finishing by PSG, the French were unable to lead.

Mourinho came with a plan – it worked

Although football is a game which is indicated by events on the pitch, Tuesday night’s fixture was eluded by a comical event which happened before the match. As Chelsea official bus drive smashed the team-bus into the wall outside the Stadium, many attributed that same would happen to the defensive mentality of Jose Mourinho.

However, as evident from the final score-line, Jose Mourinho got exactly what he had wanted coming in France.

Costa performed below par

Although the Spaniard has performed in big matches for Chelsea this season, his performance against the reigning French Champions was below par, to say the least. While many would attribute it to the fact that he was absent from the game of late, Chelsea fans would have expected something better from the Premier League top-scorer.

And according to the statistical giants whoscored.com, Costa acquired the lowest rating that any blue managed against PSG.

Thus, without even a single goal in this competition this season, Costa has been unable to replicate his form of Premier League into the Champions League thiss eason

Chelsea favorites to go through

If history has anything to do with football, then the specific history of this fixture tells us that it will be the North London side that will go into the 2nd Leg as favorites. Last time even though they were stunned 3-1 away, Chelsea managed to win 2-0 at home and gone through. Thus, with their home crowd behind them for the 2nd Leg of this fixture, Jose Mourinho would seem confident to lead his side came out from the 2nd leg unscathed.

Full time: PSG 1-1 Chelsea

Paris Saint Germain 1-1 Chelsea: 5 things we learned