PSG vs. Chelsea: Ibrahimovic Leads PSG’s Front Line, Schurrle Up Front for the Blues

Jose Mourinho has chosen not to hand Fernando Torres a lead role in Wednesday night’s Champions League quarter-finals first leg tie against Paris St-Germain (PSG) as Samuel Eto’O remains sidelined with injury.

The Portuguese boss has handed Andre Schurrle a similar role as an auxiliary forward to that he played against Manchester United at Old Trafford earlier this season. Schurrle is likely to be the furthest man forward for the ‘Blues’ against PSG.

Cameroon international, Eto’O, has not recovered from a hamstring problem he suffered during the early minutes of the 6-0 win over Arsenal and did not make the trip to Paris.

Left-back Ashley Cole is also left in London with a knee injury.

Serbian Nemanja Matic and Egyptian Mohammed Salah are cup-tied, having featured for Benfica and Basel respectively in the same competition.

Fernando Torres Returns for Chelsea in Paris.
Fernando Torres Returns for Chelsea in Paris.

PSG defender Thiago Silva is doubtful for the last-8 tie, but could play with a mask, after breaking his cheekbone.

Chelsea travel to the French capital in the wake of their surprise 1-0 loss to Crystal Palace in the English Premier League, a result which pegged them down to second in the table- two points behind leaders Liverpool.

On the contrary, PSG last loss in Europe in November 2006 in a 4-2 Uefa Cup group stage tie against Hapoel Tel-Aviv. They were only edged out on away goals by Barcelona in the last eight of the elite competition last season.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic will lead the hosts’ attack against a side managed by his former manager at Inter Milan, Jose Mourinho. The Swede will be partnered by the duo of summer record signing Edinson Cavani and Ezekiel Lavezi.

Mourinho said about Ibrahimovic: “I only coached him for a year but it was a good year, a good experience and I rate him as one of the best players I have ever coached.”

Ibra has scored 39 goals in 42 appearances for club abd country this season, including four in one Champions League game against Anderlecht in October.

Manager Laurent Blanc said: “At 32, he is having his best season perhaps. I hope that he will finish his best season. This will mean he has been very efficient in the last two months.”