PSG manager Laurent Blanc has warned his players to not fall for Jose Mourinhoa s antics ahead of their Champions League clash while asking for Zlatan Ibrahimovic to make the difference as Chelsea visit Paris looking for a crucial win.
Chelsea visit Paris where they take on PSG in a highly anticipated fixture and Laurent Blanc made it clear in his press conference that his side was prepared for Jose Mourinho who would a raise the temperature on the pitcha . He particularly singled out Marco Verrati and asked the young Italian international to control his anger on the football pitch.
a With him (Verrati), ita s about how he controls his temper and manages himself. He has to show he has improved on that level.a
a I know Jos Mourinho a bit, and I know hea ll raise the temperature on the pitch in this game. So my players need to be cold, they need to be calm, and they mustna t react even when it is hot out there on the turf. They must stay calm and cold. We cana t afford any more yellow cards. Ita s a real test for Marco, but I think he has matured and will cope with it.a
Laurent Blanc has been blamed for PSGa s slump as his team drew against Caen on Saturday in a game that cost him certain key players. The manager also warned his star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic to not get booked against Chelsea as it would further damage their chances against the London side.
a I hope that, tomorrow, if he scores he doesna t take the shirt off because he will be booked again.a
Meanwhile Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho refused to consider his former team Real Madrid along with Bayern Munich as the favourites to win the Champions League and believes that the tournament is one that will be full of surprises.
“No. I don’t agree, at all. I don’t agree because CL is a space for surprises.”
Speaking about PSGa s recent injury concerns, Jose Mourinho dismissed the situation by retaliating that the French league enjoyed a winter break as compared to the gruelling schedule in England.
“When the French players were on holiday we played five games in 10 days so don’t speak to me about game accumulation.”
It will be interesting to see how PSG cope with Jose Mourinhoa s Chelsea as the two teams come head to head at the Parc des Princes on Tuesday. With Diego Costa, Eden Hazard and Zlatan Ibrahimovic set to start the game, the fixture is sure to turn into a feisty encounter with both teams aiming for European glory.
