Chelsea FC have had a successful few weeks since facing PSG in the first leg of the Champions League round of 16. Since drawing 1-1 in Paris, the Blues have gone on to win the League Cup, watched Manchester City drop 3 points against Liverpool, and earned a hard fought win against West Ham. Branislav Ivanovic feels however that Chelsea FC will stay focused because they know how difficult the task ahead is.
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Ivanovic spoke about the first leg, as quoted by the Daily Mail, and said, “We have the great result from Paris but we still have to think about the Champions League because we want to go through. For us as a team it’s very good because we can have time to refresh ourselves and at the same time to work and prepare for the game in every detail. For sure, we will be ready for the game.”
He spoke about how important the Champions League is and that despite the League Cup win and progress in the Premier League, the Blues are very focused. Ivanovic said, ‘This is very important and a good thing about this is we can focus 100 per cent on Paris and we are not thinking about anything else. We enjoyed and celebrated the win for the trophy because we deserved that, but we switched off the next morning and we now have the time to recover and think. It’s the Champions League next and we have to be real, real strong and there is no time for big celebrations.”
The Blues had a bit of a hangover from the League Cup final in their match against West Ham just three days later but were able to withstand the pressure. On another day West Ham could have won the match but Chelsea FC also had their fair share of chances that went begging. The focus may not have been quite there in that match but that will not be the case against PSG.
Chelsea FC will have had 10 days to recharge and refocus ahead of the second leg against PSG. While that may lead to some questions about possible rust for the Blues but it is more likely that they will be more well rested than anything. Ivanovic did not look quite himself against West Ham and the emotion of the cup final may have taken its toll on him and his teammates.
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With so much time since their last match, the Blues come in to the second leg with fresh legs and fresh minds as well. They were given some time away from the club and away from football to relax and get their heads back in the game. Chelsea FC have the away goal advantage but they will be facing a PSG side with nothing to lose.
There is no room for error against a side with the quality of PSG and the slightest lapse in concentration will be punished, as was evident in Edinson Cavani’s equalizer in the first leg. Focus will be key this time around and Ivanovic and Chelsea FC will be raring to go on Wednesday.
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