The oft-criticised Uruguayan climbed off the bench to rescue the French side after John Obi Mikel had slammed in a potentially priceless away goal
Edinson Cavani climbed off the bench to seize the advantage for Paris Saint-Germainagainst Chelsea in the Champions League last 16 first leg.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic fired in a deflected free-kick to give the hosts the first-half lead before John Obi-Mikel smashed in from a corner to level just before the break.
But despite heroic Blues defending, striker Cavani finally made the territorial advantage count with a sharp finish to give Laurent Blanc's men the advantage heading into the second leg in London in three weeks' time.
Here are five things we learned in Paris:
Chelsea are still Chelsea
Whether it's a lack of desire or an air of laziness or too many Kryptonite corn flakes, the all-conquering Blues of a year ago just aren't the same animal these days.
But cometh the Champions League hour, cometh the real Chelsea.
Such was the bus parking on show tonight the dearly-departed Jose Mourinho would've been proud. Dogged, defensive and defiant to the last this was what we've come to expect from these boys in blue in the biggest moments.
These nights are what they've always done best and when once again faced with a more talented foe they brought their A-game to the party.
And what's more, with John Obi Mikel's priceless away goal safely pocketed they may now believe they are actually favourites to progress.
Against the odds and anti-football it may be, but it's all very Chelsea.
Cesc appeals in a deeper role
Were it not for Eden Hazard's malaise or John Terry's waning superpowers, Cesc Fabregas ' fall from grace would be garnering a lot more attention.
After such a spectacular first season back in the English game last year Fabregas has been a shadow of his arch-assisting self this.
While he's improved of late - basically, since Mourinho got the chop - the Spaniard was superb this evening, employed in a deeper role than you might ordinarily expect.
Up against one of the best midfield trios in world football, Fabregas excelled and was the catalyst for a performance that gives the Blues every chance of progressing against the odds.
Mikel's silly six minutes
Until the weekend just gone, John Obi Mikel was an ever-present under interim boss Guus Hiddink and deservedly so after a series of top drawer defensive midfield displays.
Mikel showed tonight, in six very silly minutes, both sides to his infuriating game.
In the 38th minute, a very poor challenge on Lucas earned him a booking. A minute later came Zlatan's free-kick for which he provided the decisive deflection.
Mikel back to being Mikel again, you'd think.
But then minutes later he popped up at a corner just before the half to slam home the equaliser.
Football, eh?
Costa always gives you a chance
It's hard to overstate just how fast PSG rushed out of the blocks.
The hosts started firmly on the front foot and could have been three or four up before the half-hour mark.
But their profligate finishing gave Chelsea a glimmer and Diego Costa nearly made them pay big time.
Only Kevin Trapp's sensational one-handed save kept the Blues from taking the most unlikely and undeserved of leads into the break.
That chance aside, he ploughed a lone furrow all night long and was the precious out-ball his team needed time and again.
Like him or loathe him, the Spaniard always gives you a chance.
Manchester United should be kicking themselves
Whatever Louis van Gaal thinks, Angel Di Maria is an exquisitely fine footballer.
Tonight in Paris the Argentine showed everyone, including his former employers, all of the quality that made him the Champions League final's man of the match just two short seasons ago.
In the hosts' early blitz, the 28-year-old was central to everything PSG did well, which was an awful lot.
And he was tremendous thereafter too, providing the game-winning assist no less.
Unsettled or homesick or whatever, he certainly looks a player United could do with right about now.
PSG 2-1 Chelsea player ratings: Who was YOUR man of the match at the Parc des Princes?
Strikes from Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Edinson Cavani won the first leg for the French champions, but John Obi Mikel scored a vital away goal
Chelsea lost the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie against Paris Saint-Germain - but are far from out of it going into the second fixture at Stamford Bridge next month.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic's deflected free-kick put Laurent Blanc's side ahead, before a rare goal from John Obi Mikel levelled things up before the break.
Edinson Cavani emerged from the bench to net the winner - but the Blues know a clean sheet and a solitary strike back in London will see them through to the last eight.
Marco Verratti caught the eye of our men in Paris, but who was your man of the match at the Parc des Princes?
Here are the full player ratings...
PSG
Trapp 8 - Fine saves from Costa early in either half. At no fault for the goal.
Marquinhos 6 - Kept Hazard pretty quiet but occasionally wasteful when going forward.
Luiz 6 - Looked a lot more disciplined than he often did in his Chelsea days.
Thiago Silva 7 - The PSG captain marshalled his defence well enough, and gave as good as he got against Costa.
Maxwell 6 - Very threatening on the overlap but Willian gave him defensive headaches.
Thiago Motta 5 - Often poor in his distribution and at fault for Chelsea’s goal.
Matuidi 6 - Did the simple things well in the anchor role without really catching the eye.
Verratti 8 - PSG’s outstanding player. The Italian tackles strongly and uses the ball nicely.
Di Maria 5 - Missed a glorious first-half chance but sparked a little after the break.
Ibrahimovic 7 - Always central to PSG’s best work, little fortunate on that free-kick opener. Never shy. Booked.
Lucas 7 - A very lively, direct runner who was a menace to Chelsea, especially early on.
Chelsea
Courtois 8 - Some smart saves. Left completely flat-footed by deflection on PSG opener.
Azpilicueta 7 - Looks such a good full-back. Solid in defence and keeps his position.
Cahill 8 - Good, determined display as he made some heroic blocks to thwart PSG.
Ivanovic 8 - Committed performance as he also put his body on the line.
Baba 6 - Better than in some of his previous Chelsea games, but not good enough for this level.
Fabregas 6 - A bit sluggish in possession, worked hard and was effective.
Mikel 7 - Both the hero and villain. At fault for PSG's opener, scored leveller.
Pedro 5 - It didn’t come off for him again, another frustrating night.
Willian 8 - Works his socks off. Brilliant performance. So important for Chelsea.
Hazard 5 - Struggled to get into the game, wasn’t much of an audition for suitors PSG.
Costa 8 - Could have scored but his overall contribution was hugely impressive.
Nenhum comentário:
Postar um comentário