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European club football’s grandest event, the UEFA Champions League, takes centre stage this week for it’s first knock-out round with some really titillating fixtures lined-up over the course of the next 7 days.First up is Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea against Ligue 1 champions Paris St. Germain at the Parc de Princes arena in the rematch of last season’s quarter-final clash. Laurent Blanc’s men will definitely be gunning for a revenge for the loss when they entertain the Blues from London at home in the first leg this Tuesday while the latter will attempt a repeat of last year’s feat.Prior to the kick-off, we look at the 5 potential key battles of the intriguing encounter:
#1 Zlatan Ibrahimovic v John Terry
Arguably, the most important duel of the evening will be between Chelsea's renowned fullback John Terry and PSG hitman Zlatan Ibrahimovic. The towering Swede was effectively boxed up last time the 2 sides tussled in the Parc de Princes arena, before prematurelybeing withdrawn by dintof aknee injury. So naturally, he'll be all guns blazing this time in the wake of exacting the retribution.
Age seems no bar for this talisman, who continues to score goals after goals without slowing down even at33. At 6 ft 3in, Zlatan has a dominant physical presence and is spectacular in the air. Athleticism aside, the Swede also possesses great nimbleness with his feet, discerningtechnical ability, explosive attacking flair and is also adept at firing from the distance. Long story short, Zlatan ticks all the boxes of an efficient striker.
These attributes have helped him accumulate 15 goals in all competitions this season. Now, the Herculean task of nullifying this threat will once again come upon Chelsea skipperJohn Terry. The Blues stalwart has lead one of the meanest defences in Europe this season and his partnership with Gary Cahill has garnered umpteen acclaims over the years. However, he will be facing his toughest test of the season come this Tuesday.
Terry must not only deterhim from winning aerial balls, but also impede his link up play and give him the least possible space, so as to render him ineffective.Indeed, an amazing personal duel to watch out for.
#2 Marco Verratti v Cesc Fabregas
The creative influence of Chelsea, this season, has principally stemmed through their Spanish magician Cesc Fabregas, who returned to the Premier League last summer and has hit the ground running even before you could say Jack Robinson. This Tuesday evening, the 27-year old will once again be the key to instigate the Blues' attack. And although he will not be locking horns with PSG’s Marco Verratti personally, its still an amazing battle as the who creates better chances, will give his side the advantage
The Italy international is an essential part of supremo Laurent Blanc's machinations and is also PSG's deep lying midfielder. With some key figures in the shape of Javier Pastoure, Thiago Motta, Lucas Moura all sidelined with injuries, Verratti will be shouldering the creative reponsibility of the team.
While Fabregas has accrued 9 strikes and 18 assists in 28 appearances for the Londoners so far and has also created a mammoth 85 chances, the former Barcelona man will be marking his return from an injury layoff and with Chelsea likely to deploy a deeper defensive line, the onus will be upon the Spaniard to spray passes on the counter, to the Chelsea forwards
#3 Edinson Cavani v Kurt Zouma
Despite having been shunted to the left wing in favour of Zlatan, Cavani did not have to compensate with what he loves doing – scoring goals. The talismanic Uruguayan has struck the onion bag 14 times in all competitions this season, 5 of which have come in the Champions League. Against Chelsea, he has some undone business and will be looking for a payback.
Chelsea defender Kurt Zouma will be playing the spoilsport as he'll be going head to head with the former Napoli man. The French teen has been a revelation ever since he was handed his debut against Newcastle United last month. His true potentil was on full display against Manchester City in the league game at Stamford Bridge when he handeld Aguero wondrously and has convinced Mourinho enough to earn a starting berth alongside Terry for this crunch clash.
Zouma will have to conduct himself in a similar manner and ensure that he doesn't let a boisterous Cavani let past his clasp.
#4 Eden Hazard v Maxwell
Chelsea winger Eden Hazard's propensity to often move out of his left flankand run behind the strikers and challenge the opposition wing backs makes him a huge threat surging forward and is therefore a matter of concern for the PSG wingback.
The Belgian wizard has been a metronome for the Stamford Bridge outfit since hisarrival and is quickly emerging as one of the best young players of the Premier League. Hazard may have endured a relatively quite World Cup in Brazil last summer, but has returned in fine fettle for the Blues, having bagged 11 goals and assisting 6 others so far in this campaign.
To negate him from inflicting any damage upon the Ligue 1 holders, Maxwell will be keeping a close tab onhim. The Brazilianneeds to cut down his instances of going forward as it leaves big gapes behind, something which Hazard loves to exploit.
#5 Diego Costa v David Luiz and Thiago Silva
Having served a 3 game ban, Chelsea striker Diego Costa returns to the fold and will be carrying the torch upfront.
The former Ateltico Madrid man joined the London outfit last summer and has taken to English football like a fish to water. Costa has been in a blistering form throughout the season and has netted 17 times in the Premier League, the highest so far. He willnow be all fired up to open his account for the Blues in the European megaevent.
However, David Luiz and Thiago Silva will attempt to douse those flames, when they go head to head with the Spaniard. Luiz will be up against his former side for the first time since joining the Paris giants but will harbour no liniency as his side's European ambitions are up at stake.
However, the Brazilian duo haven't been a hit pairing as they've leaked in 22 goals in the league and should be wary of the mistakes they committedas Costa is one of them who pounces on it ruthlessly. He's a lethal finisher and now since he's back, he'll be entrusted uponfor the goals to come.
