. Premier League champions Chelsea FC got the better of French giants Paris Saint-Germain in a thrilling penalty shoot-out on Saturday night, with Belgian Thibaut Courtois stealing the show
Although Chelsea FC manager might stress that it was just another ‘training session’ for the Blues, Jos Mourinho would have been delighted to see his side bounce back from a disappointing defeat against the Red Bulls and a poor first half display against PSG to win the game on penalties.
“It was a fantastic test for [Chelsea FC]”
After the game, the Chelsea FC manager highlighted the importance of playing against a quality side such as PSG as well as addressing the decision to give the Copa Am rica players – Willian, Juan Cuadrado and Radamel Falcao – minutes ahead of schedule.
Speaking to the media following the win, Mourinho said: “Paris St-Germain are a good team and they have good players. They started training a couple of weeks before us, they have already four matches in their legs and they are clearly one step ahead of us in their preparation, so this was a fantastic test for us from the physical point of view. It was very important for us.”
“Falcao, Willian and Juan Cuadrado are with the sharpness but without the fatigue so they looked good, and it was good for them to play this 20 minutes and it was good for Falcao from the penalty spot to put the ball into the net.”
The Blues’ manager also had some words for Serge Aurier, whose brutal tackle on Diego Costa had the Portuguese irate. “Aurier is not a player who normally plays in the PSG team,” said Mourinho. “Normally they play with Thiago Silva and David Luiz and Marquinhos. So he had a chance, he faced the game like a big game and it was important for him, and he was too aggressive.”
Chelsea FC fans in awe of Courtois penalty kick
There was plenty to savour for Chelsea FC fans, including the sumptuous goal Victor Moses scored to put the Blues level, as well as the the penalty shoot-out heroics from Thibaut Courtois.
Thibaut Courtois Penalty kick . #CFC pic.twitter.com/GqHosF0k49
a CFCVID (@CFCvid) July 26, 2015
MOSES! Our best player so far on this pre-season tour finally gets his goal. What a ball from Fabregas!
a Chelsea HQ (@Chelsea_HQ) July 25, 2015
Victor Moses is changing a lot of people’s opinions this pre-season.. #CFC
a Feroze Ali (@feroze17) July 26, 2015
Meaningless, of course, but good to see Falcao stepping up and dispatching that first penalty with ease. As for Courtois… speechless!
a Charlie Skillen (@charlieskillen) July 26, 2015
After sleeping on it. I’m fairly certain Courtois’ penalty last night was the best penalty I’ve ever seen. #bins
a Roz (@RozzaDozza) July 26, 2015
Thibaut Courtois’ penalty last night was very special. Brilliant! Not only an amazing goalkeeper but also an incredible penalty shooter.
a Ivelina Marinova (@ivssxmarinova) July 26, 2015
