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Chelsea's direct and simple football was too much for Paris St-Germain Chelsea's direct and simple football was too much for Paris Saint-Germain
(35 minutes later)
It was not pretty, but it was certainly effective. One of José Mourinho's trademarks is his willingness to make dramatic attack-minded substitutions when his side are chasing a late goal, and his introduction of two strikers for two midfielders proved crucial in Chelsea's last-gasp victory. It was not pretty, but it was certainly effective. One of José Mourinho's trademarks is his willingness to make dramatic, attack-minded substitutions when his side are chasing a late goal, and his introduction of two strikers for two midfielders proved crucial in Chelsea's last-gasp victory.
Chelsea were not impressive for long periods of this game. They struggled to set the tempo in the opening minutes when Paris Saint-Germain pressed high up the pitch but, once the French champions sat back in deeper positions, Mourinho's side were not any more effective. The passing tempo was extremely slow, with no true deep-lying playmaker setting the tempo of the game, and little spark from the back four either. They were not impressive for long periods of this game. They struggled to set the tempo in the opening minutes when Paris Saint-Germain pressed high up the pitch but once the French champions sat back in deeper positions, Mourinho's side were not any more effective. The passing tempo was extremely slow, with no true deep-lying playmaker setting the tempo of the game, and little spark from the back four either.
The Portuguese coach prefers pure defenders at the back rather than technical footballers capable of bringing the ball forward, and this was obvious in Chelsea's defensive resilience but also in their sluggishness in possession. Neither Gary Cahill nor John Terry stepped forward in possession, and neither César Azpilicueta nor Branislav Ivanovic was capable of overlapping effectively from full-back.The Portuguese coach prefers pure defenders at the back rather than technical footballers capable of bringing the ball forward, and this was obvious in Chelsea's defensive resilience but also in their sluggishness in possession. Neither Gary Cahill nor John Terry stepped forward in possession, and neither César Azpilicueta nor Branislav Ivanovic was capable of overlapping effectively from full-back.
Therefore, it was always going to be direct, simple football that proved crucial. The opener was a set piece and the crucial second arrived after Mourinho had moved to a system featuring three strikers – the players he has frequently criticised in recent weeks. Therefore, it was always going to be direct, simple football that proved crucial. The opener was a set-piece and the crucial second arrived after Mourinho had moved to a system featuring three strikers.
Midway through the second half Mourinho made his first attack-minded substitution. With André Schürrle already on for Eden Hazard for injury, Mourinho could select only from two out-and-out strikers as attacking options. He sacrificed Frank Lampard and introduced Demba Ba, and moved Oscar a little deeper – although David Luiz was essentially protecting the back four on his own, in something of a 4-1-3-2. Chelsea immediately played more directly, with Ba flicking on for Schürrle, who forced Salvatore Sirigu into a smart stop. Midway through the second half he made his first attack-minded substitution. With André Schürrle already on for Eden Hazard due to injury, Mourinho could select only from two out-and-out strikers as attacking options. He sacrificed Frank Lampard and introduced Demba Ba, and moved Oscar a little deeper – although David Luiz was essentially protecting the back four on his own, in something of a 4-1-3-2. Chelsea soon played more directly.
With Chelsea now lacking in midfield, PSG increasingly threatened. Edinson Cavani, quiet for the first 70 minutes, suddenly had two chances in quick succession thanks to excellent passes from the midfield area Chelsea were now weakened in. Blaise Matuidi's clever chip over the defence found Cavani, who blasted narrowly over the bar; then the Uruguayan wasted an even better chance from Yohan Cabaye's longer pass. David Luiz battled manfully in front of the defence but he was overrun after the change. But with the home side now lacking in midfield, PSG increasingly threatened. Edinson Cavani, quiet for the first 70 minutes, suddenly had two chances in quick succession thanks to excellent passes from the midfield area. Blaise Matuidi's clever chip over the defence found Cavani, who blasted narrowly over the bar; then the Uruguayan wasted an even better chance from Yohan Cabaye's longer pass. David Luiz battled manfully in front of the defence but he was overrun after the change.
Then Mourinho went further – Fernando Torres on for Oscar, and playing from the right, with Schürrle behind the three strikers. It prompted Laurent Blanc to bring on Marquinhos, a third centre-back, to help with the onslaught. PSG became deeper and deeper and the Chelsea goal seemed inevitable.Then Mourinho went further – Fernando Torres on for Oscar, and playing from the right, with Schürrle behind the three strikers. It prompted Laurent Blanc to bring on Marquinhos, a third centre-back, to help with the onslaught. PSG became deeper and deeper and the Chelsea goal seemed inevitable.
PSG will rue Cavani's two misses – particularly the second – and Chelsea's attacking changes exposed their defence to more pressure. But it was a calculated gamble, and that is what Mourinho does best.PSG will rue Cavani's two misses – particularly the second – and Chelsea's attacking changes exposed their defence to more pressure. But it was a calculated gamble, and that is what Mourinho does best.