There is a rivalry between Chelsea and PSG that has formed over the years and came to a head at the Club World Cup final last summer. But for Willian Pacho and Moises Caicedo, it is the opposite.
There has always been a bit of needle between the two sides and on Wednesday night, that will come alive again. Bradley Barcola has already said whether PSG are eyeing revenge against Chelsea tonight.
The Champions League last 16 clash will be no different. Two passionate, young, attacking sides doing battle under the lights at Parc des Princes. Steven Gerrard and Joe Cole have disagreed on who wins.
Who are you starting on the left vs PSG?
Cole thinks Chelsea knock PSG out, while Julien Laurens believes PSG are lacking Chelsea’s physicality. While it will be a meeting of old foes, best pals Willian Pacho and Moises Caicedo meet again.
Willian Pacho heaps praise on Chelsea’s Moises Caicedo
There will be key battles all over the park on Wednesday night, as Liam Rosenior looks to avoid only a second career defeat in his fourth match against the French champions. The midfield is going to be vital.
Frank Leboeuf thinks Chelsea can win the battle in the middle of the park, with Caicedo playing a key role. His Ecuador teammate, Pacho, will be looking to keep Joao Pedro at bay. Pacho said this about Caicedo.
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Photo by KAMIL KRZACZYNSKI/AFP via Getty Images
“He’s my best friend; I’ve known him ever since I joined Independiente del Valle. We’ve been through a lot together, both at international level and at club level. When young, we even shared an apartment.
“We’d cook, wash up, watch TV… The fact that he moved to Europe before me motivated me to follow the same path, so being reunited with him in the Champions League will make that game very special.
“He’s very respectful and very modest, and he always does things in the right way. On the pitch, he’s incredibly competitive, but off it, he’s an exceptional person. That’s why I have so much affection for him.”
Liam Rosenior has three crucial decisions to make tonight
Chelsea can win this game in midfield. Joao Neves is back from injury after initially being a doubt, but the chances of the Portugal star starting seem slim. It leaves PSG light in midfield, with Fabian Ruiz missing.
That is where Chelsea can really take advantage, but Rosenior has got to get his team selection right. The Blues boss has three key decisions to make when picking his starting line-up, the goalkeeper being key.
Chelsea fans pick Jorgensen to start in goal v PSG – do you agree?
The results of our poll: Sanchez or Jorgensen?
Rosenior refused to tell reporters who would start in goal, but it is a decision he has to get right. Just look at Tottenham’s 5-2 defeat to Atletico Madrid – football is unforgiving. Then, Reece James’ position.
Does he start the England man at right-back and use Andrey Santos in midfield with Caicedo, or does Malo Gusto go at right-back and James in midfield? Then, there is the left flank of Chelsea’s attack.
Neto is available but Alejandro Garnacho is in superb form. Another tricky decision but given the size of the game, Rosenior may opt for experience – Sanchez in goal, Gusto over Santos and Neto wide left.
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