Trade Minister, Building Materials Chamber forge development path for Shaq El-Thu'ban region    Jordan's PM arrives in Cairo for Egyptian-Jordanian Joint Higher Committee    Cairo mediation inches closer to Gaza ceasefire amidst tensions in Rafah    Taiwan's exports rise 4.3% in April Y-Y    Global mobile banking malware surges 32% in 2023: Kaspersky    Mystery Group Claims Murder of Businessman With Alleged Israeli Ties    Microsoft closes down Nigeria's Africa Development Centre    Microsoft to build $3.3b data centre in Wisconsin    Lebanon's private sector contracts amidst geopolitical unrest – PMI    German industrial production dipped in March – data    Dollar gains ground, yen weakens on Wednesday    Banque Misr announces strategic partnership with Belmazad digital auction platform    Egypt, World Bank evaluate 'Managing Air Pollution, Climate Change in Greater Cairo' project    Health Ministry on high alert during Easter celebrations    US academic groups decry police force in campus protest crackdowns    US Embassy in Cairo announces Egyptian-American musical fusion tour    Japanese Ambassador presents Certificate of Appreciation to renowned Opera singer Reda El-Wakil    Sweilam highlights Egypt's water needs, cooperation efforts during Baghdad Conference    AstraZeneca injects $50m in Egypt over four years    Egypt, AstraZeneca sign liver cancer MoU    Swiss freeze on Russian assets dwindles to $6.36b in '23    Amir Karara reflects on 'Beit Al-Rifai' success, aspires for future collaborations    Climate change risks 70% of global workforce – ILO    Prime Minister Madbouly reviews cooperation with South Sudan    Egypt retains top spot in CFA's MENA Research Challenge    Egyptian public, private sectors off on Apr 25 marking Sinai Liberation    Debt swaps could unlock $100b for climate action    President Al-Sisi embarks on new term with pledge for prosperity, democratic evolution    Amal Al Ghad Magazine congratulates President Sisi on new office term    Egyptian, Japanese Judo communities celebrate new coach at Tokyo's Embassy in Cairo    Uppingham Cairo and Rafa Nadal Academy Unite to Elevate Sports Education in Egypt with the Introduction of the "Rafa Nadal Tennis Program"    Financial literacy becomes extremely important – EGX official    Euro area annual inflation up to 2.9% – Eurostat    BYD، Brazil's Sigma Lithium JV likely    UNESCO celebrates World Arabic Language Day    Motaz Azaiza mural in Manchester tribute to Palestinian journalists    Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban    It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game    Shoukry reviews with Guterres Egypt's efforts to achieve SDGs, promote human rights    Sudan says countries must cooperate on vaccines    Johnson & Johnson: Second shot boosts antibodies and protection against COVID-19    Egypt to tax bloggers, YouTubers    Egypt's FM asserts importance of stability in Libya, holding elections as scheduled    We mustn't lose touch: Muller after Bayern win in Bundesliga    Egypt records 36 new deaths from Covid-19, highest since mid June    Egypt sells $3 bln US-dollar dominated eurobonds    Gamal Hanafy's ceramic exhibition at Gezira Arts Centre is a must go    Italian Institute Director Davide Scalmani presents activities of the Cairo Institute for ITALIANA.IT platform    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Chelsea on a high for the Champions League visit of PSG
Published in Ahram Online on 10 - 03 - 2015

With a title already secured and their Premier League title prospects enhanced, Chelsea's players have enjoyed a strong start to March.
''There is a great buzz around the place,'' Chelsea defender Gary Cahill said. ''The (League) Cup final was huge in terms of the atmosphere around the club and the dressing room.''
And an earlier embarrassing exit from the FA Cup had the benefit of providing Chelsea with a week of rest going into Wednesday's Champions League game against Paris Saint-Germain.
Although Chelsea drew 1-1 in the first leg at PSG, the London club left the French capital better placed to advance than in the previous year's quarterfinals. The Blues overcame a 3-1 deficit then to advance on away goals by winning 2-0 at Stamford Bridge.
While Chelsea currently holds a five-point lead in the Premier League - with a game in hand - PSG trails Lyon by a point in the French league.
Here are some are some things to know going into the second leg:
FINISHING STRUGGLING
PSG coach Laurent Blanc is worried that his team's poor finishing in recent weeks could prove costly at Stamford Bridge.
Although PSG easily beat Lens 4-1 on Saturday, his players missed a glut of chances - with wingers Javier Pastore and Ezequiel Lavezzi both extremely wasteful in that game and in the previous week's 0-0 draw with Monaco.
''We'll need to be more clinical against Chelsea, I don't need to spell out why,'' Blanc said. ''We'll have fewer chances over there.''
PSG traditionally relies heavily on Zlatan Ibrahimovic for its goals, but his form has not been great since he came back from a nagging heel injury. Although the Sweden forward's 16 goals in 26 games this season is a credible haul, it is a significantly lower ratio than he managed in the two previous campaigns and includes five penalties.
Edinson Cavani has 18 goals this season, and his form is improving, but if those two are off form then PSG will need goals from the midfield. However, Thiago Motta has not scored so far this season, Blaise Matuidi has managed one goal - against Lens on Saturday - and Marco Verratti just two.
But David Luiz has found his range since stepping up from central defense to midfield, and the former Chelsea player has found the net in his past two matches.
COSTA'S GOAL SEARCH
The most significant addition to the Chelsea squad since hosting PSG a year ago was Diego Costa.
The Spain striker has netted 16 Premier League goals this season, but his finishing has evaded him in the last six games in all competitions. And the former Atletico Madrid player is still searching for his first European goal in a Chelsea shirt.
POLICE PRESENCE
The behavior of fans will be in the spotlight around London on Wednesday after racism by Chelsea fans in Paris last month. A black commuter was filmed being forced off a train by supporters who then chanted: ''We're racist and that's the way we like it.''
Matches between PSG and Chelsea have also led to violent clashes between hooligan elements of both clubs in the past.
PSG published a message from British police addressed to its traveling fans on its website Monday, advising fans not to ''frequent pubs near to the stadium, before and after the game.''
(For more sports news andupdates, followAhramOnlineSportson Twitter at@AO_Sportsand onFacebookatAhramOnlineSports.)
http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/124921.aspx


Clic here to read the story from its source.