'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Branislav Ivanovic's first half goal was enough to secure a crucial 1-1 away draw at the Parc des Princes in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 game against Paris Saint-Germain. The visitors took the lead in the first half, after three defenders combined to score a goal. John Terry put in a cross from the left wing, which was expertly flicked on by Gary Cahill and the Serbian was on hand to head home the game's opening goal.The home side equalised in the second half thanks to a header from Edinson Cavani, who was left unmarked just outside the six yard box. Although PSG tried to push on in search of a winner, none was forthcoming and they had to be content with a draw that gives the advantage to Chelsea.Here are the major talking points from the game:
#1 Pedestrian PSG paid the penalty
Chelsea went into the break a goal up, away from home in a tricky away tie in the Champions League, not because they were very good, but because PSG were simply careless. The home side's passing in the first half was pedestrian and it simply looked as though the players didn't really want to win the game. But everything changed in the second half as the French champions looked a lot more hungrier and more of a threat going forward.
Although, they created several good chances, their strikers failed to take them and towards the end, their play once again reverted back to being pedestrian. When you are looking for a goal in stoppage time and your midfielder passes it back instead of forward, you certainly don't deserve to win the game.
#2 Referee Cuneyt Cakir bottled it
Being a referee is often a thankless job and one that is always a double-edged sword. Irrespective of the decision that you take, you are always hounded by the press. But, sometimes the referees make life difficult all by themselves. The performance of Turkish referee Cuneykt Cakir was an example of just that. Whether it was because of his previous performances against English sides, where he sent off players or simply cowardice, the Turkish referee's decision to not show two yellows to a player in a game littered with bad fouls was simply unpardonable.
Verratti was walking a tightrope throughout the game and only got a yellow for a two-footed lunge. Ivanovic also got off with just yellow after committing several fouls throughout the game and rugby tackling Edinson Cavani. He also didn't give the home side a penalty after Ramires' blatant foul on Blaise Matuidi late in the game. It is non-decisions like these that make referees the target of the wrath of football fans all over.
#3 Courtois shows his class
When Chelsea decided to bring Courtois back at the start of the season, many worried about the future of Petr Cech. But, so far this season, Mourinho has managed his keepers very well and on his return to the side, the Belgian keeper showed just why he is regarded as one of the best in Europe. Although his performances in the last few weeks, especially against Aston Villa and Manchester City, the 22-year-old looked tentative.
His manager took him out of the firing line but brought him back for a crucial Champions League tie and the Belgian rewarded his manager's faith by putting in a splendid performance. The Belgian made two crucial saves in the second half, both from Zlatan Ibrahimovic, the latter was in stoppage time, which ensured that the Blues left Paris with a 1-1 draw.
#4 The curious case of Verratti
Ever since signing for PSG in 2012, the case of Marco Verratti has been a curious. The Italian's passing and vision, tenacity and temperament make him a must-have player in the midfield, but for all of his good qualities, he isn't without his faults. Although he dominated the game in the second half, one of the problems with the Italian midfielder is that he is so good on the ball, that at times, he expects others to be as well, which isn't always the case.
On Tuesday, there were more than a few occasions when he made his way out of a tight corner, only to give the ball to his teammate and put him under pressure. While there is no doubt that his range of passing and vision is excellent, the 22-year-old still needs to work on his decision-making and stop dawdling on the ball and move it forward quickly.
#5 Will it be Deja vu for PSG?
In the last couple of seasons, PSG have been knocked out of the Champions League by Barcelona and Chelsea. Although neither are defeats that they should be really ashamed about, the fact that they lost both games on away goals, must certainly sting.
With the Blues scoring a crucial away goal, this time around as well, you can't help but wonder if it is going to be third time unlucky for the French club. For all the millions they spent on players, another avoidable error at the back might just cost them a place in the next round and that is unlikely to go down too well with the owners, who are now looking for European domination, after conquering France.
