I imagine 2012 and Munich is going to be invoked a lot and that's understandable since we're in a similar position in the league and we're underdogs. Problem is, that team had great players, great leaders and was a team united behind a need to fulfil a collective destiny. This team doesn't have that in my opinion.

 

It's a flawed team and for us to win a few things need to go our way. The fitness of Verratti and Matuidi will be key because they make that team tick. If they're out then we've got a chance but I don't think Hiddink has kept a clean sheet at home yet so you're looking at us probably needing to score 3.

 

I suppose the team picks itself. We could go with Traore because he's in good form and offers something new for PSG to worry about, but I expect it'll be the usual. 

 

Ultimately we're not close to being one of the best teams in Europe but it's a cup competition and if you're at your best and your opponent is weak, and you get a bit of luck then anything's possible. It's just not likely.

that just about sums it up = lol

Psg should go through. They will have massively underperformed if they do not.

I thought having matic back would make us stronger - in fact i think it benefits paris st germain more than anything. Our midfield is so w**k atm if we don't get overrun it will be a surprise. Have psg played already? Only thing we can hope for is a couple of their key players are missing. I don't have confidence in this team to show the mental fortitude to want to beat psg. With hazard and matic languishing around the field every game making no impact i think our chances are limited. I would pick pato instead of hazard (can't be worse surely) and just stick with fab and mikel combo.

Our defence has failed to keep a clean sheet in our last 7 games. Cannot see this game stopping that run. Think we may well. Need 4 goals to progress.

Our defence has failed to keep a clean sheet in our last 7 games. Cannot see this game stopping that run. Think we may well. Need 4 goals to progress.

My thoughts too. Don't seem to be able to keep a clean sheet, maybe we can raise our game though. I can see him starting with matic and mikel and pushing fab forward, the way Oscar played the last couple of games I don't think he deserves to start either. Need Haz to shine. Costa will not need firing up at least. Allez Chelsea!

Edited March 6, 201610 yr by mickydroysleftpeg

How about a bit of positivity.We win 1-0,the atmosphere is electric and we go through.....UP THE CHELS!!!!!

How about a bit of positivity.We win 1-0,the atmosphere is electric and we go through.....UP THE CHELS!!!!!

 

I think people are being realistic. Nobody has said we can't win, just that we're underdogs and probably need more than our fair share of things to do our way. Think it's slightly unfair to question people's attitude if I'm being honest.

Going to take a huge performance to see us through.

PSG will definitely score, so we will need 3 or maybe penalties.

How about a bit of positivity.We win 1-0,the atmosphere is electric and we go through.....UP THE CHELS!!!!!

Yep, facts and stats we know; it's that intangible magic of spirit and soul, wishing and hoping and believing. Come on you Blues.

Yep, facts and stats we know; it's that intangible magic of spirit and soul, wishing and hoping and believing. Come on you Blues.

 

Absolutely agree that what can win these ties is that spirit, that hunger that unifies men and allows them to overcome the most insurmountable of odds, to defy the naysayers, to upset the odds, to define their own destinies.

 

That's what we did in 2012 but do you see the same spirit in this group of players. Do you see that collective will to right the wrong they suffered years before, to take on the very best, take their best shots and still be standing? This is not the Chelsea of Terry, Lampard and Drogba. It isn't even the Chelsea of Ramires. It's very easy to allude to the intangibles but I think it's somewhat wishful thinking to put some of this current crop alongside those greats and expect something similar.

 

Of course it Verratti and Matuidi are missing then our chances greatly improve.

 

Could do with another great night at the Bridge like this one though

 

Edited March 6, 201610 yr by ShedEnder91

Even little 1-0 would be enough for us. We would need 11 players that would give everything they have to save our season and to show that our class is permanent. All the chances against us, but as a fan I believe that we can do it, we're playing football and in football everything happens. We are at home, in front of our fans, we can't disappoint. Our key players starting to gain their form back, especially Fabregas and Costa, two important players that we need them fully motivated and fit for this game. Also, Guss should work on his decisions, sometimes his decisions losing us points. 

 

I believe that we can make it, I think everyone must think the same. We need our fans to support since the first whistle, we all have to come with energetic emotions. I know that we are still not at our best, we are far away from our best form, but like I said and always will be saying, we're playing football and everything happens. I want to see 11 players that also warriors, some animals that would not give up and play until the last whistle. Come on, we can't think negatively, only positive!

 

I'd like to see this starting line:

 

----------------------------- Courtois ------------------------------

 

Azpilicueta -------- Cahill ----- Ivanovic ---------- Baba Rahman

 

--------------------- Mikel -------- Fabregas ----------------------

 

Bertrand Traore ----------- Willian ------------------ Hazard

 

--------------------------- Diego Costa --------------------------------

 

 

 

 

Some good memories! 

 

COME ON CHELS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Will Pedro be fit for this one? If so I would play him and Willian on the wings and Hazard behind Costa.

I think he is made for a game like this and is likely to offer more than the underwhelming Oscar in my  opinion. Hazard in his preferred number 10 role to see if we can coal a performance out of him.

 

Mikel and Fabregas in front of the same back four as against Stoke I would imagine. 

 

Tall order given that I can't see PSG nor score at some point; definitely positives to be taken from the away leg though and PSG are not exactly "masters of Europe".... if we get the crowd fired up and create a proper atmosphere it could be very uncomfortable for PSG. 

Of course if Verratti and Matuidi are missing then our chances greatly improve.

Are they missing?

I would be inclined to play Fabregas further up the pitch, I know he doesnt play as well further up the pitch but Verrati and Matuidi press us high up if Fabregas sits deep. With Fabregas further up Blanc will have a decision to make, either play deep and allow pressure on or press high and give Fabregas more time higher up the pitch.

The challenge for us if they opt to play the high pressing game is to move the ball quicker and get it to Fabregas to pick a pass.

Also if we were to play fabregas further who will partner Mikel, with the way Matic is playing he certainly shouldnt be considered and RLC is far too inexperienced and lacks the work rate.

Edited March 6, 201610 yr by Imran_CFC

It comes down to possession IMO. While we are in poor form i feel that if our defense is given enough time to react then they can defend however if they are caught on the counter then we are in big big trouble. Even the game vs Stoke, Willian cheaply loses the ball and suddenly Coutois finds himself facing 2 Stoke players and only 2 defenders rushing to his aid, and while his first block parried the shot on goal it bounced straight to the other player giving them a second chance and a clean shot on goal. 

 

These are the sort of situations that worries me. If we want to have any hope of winning then the midfield needs to retain possession and not TURN IT OVER CHEAPLY !!!

I would be inclined to play Fabregas further up the pitch, I know he doesnt play as well further up the pitch but Verrati and Matuidi press us high up if Fabregas sits deep. With Fabregas further up Blanc will have a decision to make, either play deep and allow pressure on or press high and give Fabregas more time higher up the pitch.

The challenge for us if they still play the hugh pressing game is to move the ball quicker and get it to Fabregas to pick a pass.

Also if we were to play fabregas further who will partner Mikel, with the way Matic is playing he certainly shouldn't be considered and RLC is far too inexperienced and lacks the work rate.

 

I agree with you on Matic and RLC after yesterday's game. I would even include Willian in that list. Sadly, with Pedro injured, I think we will end up starting Willian, Oscar and Hazard. What do you think about the idea of starting 2 strikers or do you think that will leave our midfield too weakened ? 

Tibo

 

Azpi

Cahill

Brana

Kenedy (if fit, Baba if not)

 

Mikel

Cesc

 

Traore

Hazard

Willian

 

Costa

 

Give Eden a chance at number 10 against them, see if he can show some quality there.

Think we'll win this.

Nick an early goal and a late one on the counter

If we want to have any hope of winning then the midfield needs to retain possession and not TURN IT OVER CHEAPLY !!!

If there is anything this season that makes me yell at the tv, it's our sloppiness on the ball. Why IS that? It strikes me as lazy, disinterested, lack of focus. Bleh.

I think traore has earned a start ahead of Oscar. Although I don't think he will get it.

Feels like a 1-1 draw for me ... ?

I agree with you on Matic and RLC after yesterday's game. I would even include Willian in that list. Sadly, with Pedro injured, I think we will end up starting Willian, Oscar and Hazard. What do you think about the idea of starting 2 strikers or do you think that will leave our midfield too weakened ?

2 strikers = SUICIDE

I agree with you on Matic and RLC after yesterday's game. I would even include Willian in that list. Sadly, with Pedro injured, I think we will end up starting Willian, Oscar and Hazard. What do you think about the idea of starting 2 strikers or do you think that will leave our midfield too weakened ?

If we had played with 2 strikers earlier in the season than maybe taking into account the results we could have given it a shot but playing a new formation in our biggest game of the season may be counter-productive.

However I would start Traore ahead of Oscar- Itll be interesting to see our tactics in this game as I think this game will be won by how adventurous Guus is with his tactics. If we look to keep a clean sheet and have a go in the last 20 I can see us getting outplayed, if we look to attack (like we did after conceding the first goal against them) I can see us putting them away.

Edited March 6, 201610 yr by Imran_CFC