That’s all there is to being a world champion.
Chelsea played more like a winning team than a world powerhouse on Tuesday night, losing 3-0 at home to Paris Saint-Germain in the return leg of their Champions League last-16 tie, a shocking 8-2 aggregate defeat.
Chelsea fans proudly held up a banner reading ‘World Champions’ before kick-off at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday. The harsh reality painted a different picture.
Chelsea collapsed with a late goal last week and lost 5-2, but this time they collapsed with an early goal and were 2-0 up within the first 15 minutes.
The banner represented Chelsea’s victory. club world cup final Last July, Chelsea defeated PSG 3-0.
Some home fans started booing during the first half of Tuesday’s loss, then cynically cheered when players completed passes.
The defeat could have been much worse, but some Chelsea fans had already seen enough and started leaving after PSG’s third goal in the 62nd minute.
Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior chewed on his pen and chewed his nails as he watched in bewilderment as PSG forced his team off the field at will. The English player only joined Chelsea in January after leaving French club Strasbourg.
“In the Champions League, if you make a mistake against a very good team, it’s not worth it any more,” he said. “The first goal was our mistake… It’s impossible for us to concede so many goals.”
Chelsea then hired him. farewell company With the winner Enzo Maresca conference league And the Club World Cup trophy.
Rosenia’s selection
Last week, Rosenior surprisingly selected goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen over Roberto Sanchez, but it was Jorgensen’s mistake that led to PSG’s third goal in the 74th minute.
On Tuesday, Sanchez was reinstated, centre-back Wesley Fofana was dropped, and Fofana was replaced by 20-year-old centre-back Mamadou Sarr.
That didn’t work either, and Sarr’s sloppy defending allowed Hviča Kvaratschelia to give PSG the lead six minutes later.
It was the third straight defeat for Rosenior, whose team sits sixth in the Premier League with eight games remaining. However, the trophy still remains, with Chelsea reaching the quarter-finals of the FA Cup.
Charova injured
Chelsea right-back Trevo Chalobah suffered an ankle injury and was stretchered off towards the end.
Rosenior said it was too early to determine the extent of the injuries.
gather together
Chelsea players held their pre-match huddle right inside PSG’s half. PSG players seemed unconcerned as they casually jogged past the Chelsea players just before the start.
Under Rosenior, Chelsea’s players developed the habit of forming a circle around the ball on the halfway line in the moments before the start of each half to show solidarity.
The huddle took on a new dimension before last Saturday’s Premier League game against Newcastle. Referee Paul Tierney took possession of the ball next to the center circle and immediately found himself surrounded by the Chelsea team.
“There was nothing disrespectful towards the opponent,” Rossenyol said, and PSG coach Luis Enrique said there was no problem. ___
AP Soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
