Ibrahimovic sends Blues packing
Print Edition
ZLATAN Ibrahimovic demonstrated his enduring attacking threat on Wednesday by steering Paris Saint-Germain into the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals with a goal and an assist in a 2-1 victory at Chelsea.
By replicating the first-leg triumph in the French capital last month, PSG eliminated Chelsea for the second successive season in the round of 16 but it is far more damaging for the London club this time.
Languishing in 10th place in the Premier League after a feeble title defense, Chelsea will almost certainly be out of the Champions League next season for the first time since Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich bought the club in 2003.
Although Chelsea conceded in the 16th minute when Ibrahimovic’s cross was turned in by Adrien Rabiot, Diego Costa leveled 11 minutes later on his return from injury.
But Costa was forced off on the hour and Chelsea’s hopes were deflated.
Ibrahimovic tapped in his 50th Champions League goal seven minutes later after being set up by Angel Di Maria on a sparkling night for the winger.
“They were letting us control the game,” said Ibrahimovic, who was sent off here last season. “We are happy at the moment, but still not satisfied.”
For the 34-year-old Sweden striker it was a timely goal with his PSG contract expiring at the end of the season while still — like his club — chasing a first Champions League title.
“You ask if he is able to reproduce (his domestic form) in the Champions League and he gave you his answer tonight,” PSG coach Laurent Blanc told reporters through a translator. “He was able to keep the two opposition center backs occupied.”
This was a dour final Champions League night at Stamford Bridge, which is to be rebuilt from 2017, forcing the 2012 European champion off the site until the next decade.
The team requires a rebuilding job in the transfer market under Jose Mourinho’s permanent successor. Winger Eden Hazard booed as he was substituted injured in the second half, having once again failed to match last season’s player-of-the-year exploits.
“Chelsea is now in a transition period ... to regain the loss terrain where Chelsea used to be,” Hiddink said.
How Chelsea would relish the complete dominance of PSG. Sitting 23 points clear atop its league, the Qatar-owned French champion faced a rare test in west London.
In Wednesday’s other game, Benfica beat Zenit St Petersburg 2-1 to advance 3-1 on aggregate, joining Real Madrid and VfL Wolfsburg who won on Tuesday.
The twice European Cup winner showed incredible resilience in St Petersburg as it overcame an injury crisis that would have floored teams with much greater financial resources.
With four defenders plus goalkeeper Julio Cesar injured or suspended, Benfica put midfielder Andreas Samaris alongside 21-year-old Victor Lindelof in central defense, while Ederson, 22, was given his Champions League debut in goal.
All rose to the challenge, ensuring that Portugal had a quarterfinalist in the competition for the second season in row.
Trailing 0-1 from last month’s first leg, Zenit levelled the tie when Hulk opened the scoring on the night in the 69th and extra time was looming when Nicolas Gaitan stunned the Petrovsky Stadium by netting at the other end five minutes from time. Substitute Talisca then wrapped up the victory with the last kick of the game.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
