UCL Preview: PSG look to build on Parc win
Catch up on the latest ahead of Paris Saint-Germain's Champions League trip to Stamford Bridge with our match preview.
Focus is key for PSG
With a three goal lead off the back of an electric appearance off the bench by Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, there's little suspicion that the Ligue 1 McDonald's leaders have any intention of letting their hopes of reaching the quarterfinals slip. Luis Enrique is expected to name the strongest possible eleven, with the Georgian back in the lineup and another start for Ousmane Dembélé, who continues to work his way back to full fitness but nevertheless scored a fine goal just before the break in the first leg.
The Ballon d'Or winner, who spoke pre-match remained circumspect and cautious despite his team's advantage, saying, "We need to stay focused, they are a quality team and a great club. We know it will be difficult at times and we will have to suffer. But it's like last year when we won the Champions League, we had some difficult moments." With PSG having had the weekend off while Chelsea played a tough match against Newcastle, there is also a matter of freshness which should help the capital side.
🫶#UCL pic.twitter.com/OlG6nsb7Wz
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) March 16, 2026
An uphill battle without their captain
As for Chelsea, for as much spirit as the London side showed in the first leg, they still conceded five goals, and will now face the challenging task of overhauling a three-goal deficit without captain Reece James, who could miss the rest of the season after suffering a hamstring issue at the weekend. Romeo Lavia is expected to take his place in midfield, with Andrey Santos also an option, but no matter the eleven, this will be a tough ask for Liam Rosenior.
Speaking pre-match, the former RC Strasbourg manager expressed optimism, but not without the subtext that -- at least in this competition -- a longer view may be more realistic "'You want to be successful in the now; I want to be successful right now. Everybody does. At the same time, you have to plan for the future. There is an idea for this club to be successful for a long time – not just for one year –but to have consistent success."
Predicted lineups:
Chelsea (4-3-3): Sanchez; Gusto, Fofana, Chalobah, Cucurella; Fernandez, Lavia, Caicedo; Palmer, Pedro, Neto
Paris Saint-Germain (4-3-3): Safonov; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Mendes; Zaïre-Emery, Vitinha, Neves; Kvaratskhelia, Dembélé, Barcola
