Paris Saint-Germain FC v Chelsea FC - UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 First Leg
Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior has vowed to get to the bottom of the team leak (Image: Getty)
Liam Rosenior has vowed he will "get to the bottom of it" after learning of possible team leaks from within the Chelsea camp before their crushing 5-2 defeat at Paris Saint-Germain.
The Blues battled admirably for over an hour in Paris before fading late on, leaving them facing an uphill struggle to preserve their Champions League ambitions when they face next week's second leg.
The press obtained the Chelsea starting XI and it was circulating by midday - eight hours prior to kick-off at the Parc des Princes. Their information proved accurate and that line-up was competing with PSG for lengthy spells.
Rosenior was questioned about how the information leaked, something he was initially oblivious to, but the Chelsea manager pledged he would look into the matter. He said: "I wasn't aware. I'm sure we'll get to the bottom of that if that's the case."
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It comes a matter of months since Michael Carrick's first Manchester United XI was leaked online. His starting line-up appeared on social media hours before the Reds went up against Manchester City in January, and although it didn't impact the end result as United ran out 2-0 winners, it's an issue that Carrick won't have wanted to be repeated again.
But that wasn't the first time United had been plagued by leaks. The Reds reportedly initiated an investigation in December into how then-head coach Ruben Amorim's plans to adjust his system were leaked on the day of the 4-4 draw against Bournemouth.
The Mail reported at the time that United were committed to finding the source of the leak to stop such incidents from happening again in the future. A club spokesperson declined to comment.
As for Chelsea, the Blues had secured some impressive victories in Europe this campaign, defeating Barcelona at Stamford Bridge and securing a significant triumph at Napoli. They were holding the European champions to a 2-2 stalemate with 16 minutes left before Vitinha made it 3-2 and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia came off the bench to score a late double.
Paris Saint-Germain FC v Chelsea FC - UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 First Leg
Chelsea were thrashed against Paris Saint-Germain (Image: Getty)
PSG's third goal stemmed from a mistake by goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen. The Dane had been adopting a risky approach with the ball at his feet all evening, and ultimately paid the price.
He surrendered possession and was chipped by Vitinha, a decisive turning point in the contest.
Rosenior, however, had no desire to criticise his goalkeeper. "Players make mistakes," he said.
"Filip's not the first one to make a mistake. And that's part of football. Obviously, it's bitter... In that moment, at 2-2, I think we were in the ascendancy. We were an inch away from going even to 3-3.
"I think Joao Pedro's goal was like an inch offside. But in the top level, in the Champions League level, it is fine margins. And the fifth goal was the most painful one, we don't settle ourselves down. We don't deal with the basic pattern of play. They score a fifth goal and make the tie very difficult for us."
PSG are attempting to become only the second side in the Champions League era to retain their title and Rosenior acknowledges they possess quality - the calibre of which we don't witness in England.
"In the Premier League, there is no Doue, no Ousmane Dembele, no Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, no Vitinha or Joao Neves," he said following the fixture. "It's an exceptional team. Exceptional European champions."