Reuters
London, March 8: It is hard to imagine former boss Jose Mourinho ever calling Chelsea underdogs, but that’s how successor Guus Hiddink has described them before their Champions League last 16 second leg clash against Paris St Germain, Wednesday.
The French champions head to Stamford Bridge for the third successive season, having knocked Chelsea out at the same stage a year ago. They are again favourites according to Hiddink, following their 2-1 victory in the February 16, first leg in Paris.
The wily 69-year-old Dutchman may well be playing mind games, but, he was candid enough to admit Tuesday that the odds are loaded in favour of the visitors. “We are not the favourites. We have regained confidence and have quality, but let’s be very tough underdogs. We need to be angry in a controlled way Wednesday, the players must fully concentrate on the job in hand.
Chelsea’s results have improved since Mourinho left in December and they lost only one game – the tie at PSG – out of the 18 they have played in all competitions. A 1-0 win at home will be enough to see them through on away goals.
Chelsea will almost certainly be without injured skipper John Terry but striker Diego Costa should be fit after missing Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Stoke City with a minor tendon injury.
Former Chelsea defender David Luiz, who won the Champions League with Chelsea in 2012 and scored for PSG at Stamford Bridge last season, told ‘uefa.com’ Monday he will always have an affection for Chelsea after spending three seasons there.
But he is determined to see PSG knock them out. “My respect, my love for Chelsea, will always be the same,” the Brazil international said. “But I hope we can come out as winners there. I had some great moments there, but I am focussed on my work, which is to play for PSG and help them to win.”
