Cakewalk for Ibrahimovic
ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC has always been known for talking the talk. But the Swede has always been able to walk the walk as well. Last night he did it again.
Ibrahimovic is now 34, his contract in Paris up at the end of the season and he is wanted by clubs in the Premier League and in the USA. And he showed exactly why.
His clinical strike 23 minutes from time at Stamford Bridge ended Chelsea’s Champions League hopes with brutal fi nality after having also set up Paris Saint- Germain’s fi rst goal.
Chelsea, 2- 1 down from the fi rst leg, simply could not summon up another of those famous European comebacks against a side who knew too much, had too much – and boasted that man Zlatan among their ranks.
Diego Costa’s 27th- minute goal had cancelled out Adrien Rabiot’s early strike but PSG comfortably held Chelsea at bay, and the loss of their Spanish striker with a calf injury killed Guus Hiddink’s men. Now there is just the FA Cup to aim for.
The atmosphere was fervid. Reminiscent of many other nights of European combat at Stamford Bridge. The task, once again, mighty.
But Chelsea have been here before and memorably clambered through 11 years ago against the mighty Barcelona, in 2012 against Napoli on the way to winning the competition and two years ago against PSG. Each time coming back from a fi rst- leg defi cit.
Hiddink, foiled controversially at the semi- fi nal stage by Barcelona in 2009 in his only other European campaign at Chelsea, had, as ever, been the old, steadying hand on the tiller. But last night’s clash – and Saturday’s FA Cup tie at Everton – represented his and Chelsea’s only chance of honours this season. Now it is just the domestic tournament.
It did not stop the Dutchman taking an almighty gamble in playing the attack- minded Kenedy at left- back.
These two old foes know each other well. It is the third season running the clubs have met. Two years ago, Chelsea triumphed in the quarter- fi nals on away goals after trailing – and last season the Paris club won at this stage despite having dangerman Ibrahimovic sent off.
Chelsea almost struck fi rst, though, as David Luiz’s error gave the ball to Willian; he in turn set up Costa but his shot was pushed away by German goalkeeper Kevin Trapp.
PSG quickly gave notice of their menace when Lucas Moura set up Angel Di Maria, whose shot beat Thibaut Courtois and had to be kicked off the line by Branislav Ivanovic.
Costa, labelled a “fraud” by PSG before the game, threw aside his mask. But then PSG struck in the 16th minute. Ibrahimovic, who was shown a red card on his last visit to Stamford Bridge, got away on the left as Gary Cahill inexplicably let him go. Kenedy was also absent without leave and the Swedish striker’s low cross was inevitably accurate as Rabiot arrived at the far post to score.
The mountain was now even higher, but Chelsea responded well just 11 minutes later. Pedro won the ball off Thiago Motta, exchanged passes with Willian, who threaded a pass though to Costa. The ‘ fraud’ turned Thiago Silva and drilled the equaliser home.
Ibrahimovic then rose to head straight at Courtois and Cesc Fabregas shot wide as the give and take continued, before Eden Hazard tested Trapp. The tackles were certainly fl ying too. Chelsea
pushed forward and Cesar Azpilicueta saw his effort blocked after a fi ne run by Willian. Then the Brazilian was felled on the edge of the area, but German referee Felix Brych waved play on.
But the calf injury that had threatened his participation in this game struck Costa, as he limped off. It was a decisive blow. On went the youngster Bertrand Traore but, without their talisman, Chelsea seemed to wilt.
Motta sent Di Maria away down the left, and his low cross found Ibrahimovic racing in to crash the ball home from six yards.
Chelsea’s hearts were broken. The big Swede had said before the match that he was not fi nished, he was only warming up – and that PSG would defi nitely one day win the Champions League. With a goal in the fi rst leg, an assist and a strike last night, Ibrahimovic proved his point. Bizarrely, Hazard had swapped shirts with Di Maria at half- time.
The Belgian, so disappointing for much of this season, then motioned that he wanted to come off in the closing stages and limped off, going straight down the tunnel.
That was emphatically not the Chelsea spirit of old.