Women's team will need to excel
After dominating for an hour, Paris Saint-Germain fell prey to Chelsea's ruthless streak to leave them needing to turn in a five-star display at home in six days' time if they are to reach the UEFA Women's Champions League semi-finals.
The first half was a tactical battle. Paris' pressing pinned their opponents back early while Formiga's ability to keep the ball helped the visitors dominate possession. Chelsea Ladies were a threat on the counter-attack, notably through Cuthbert, who - after being played in by Spence, was only denied by Endler's timely intervention (22'). Paredes' well-timed challenge thwarted her again soon after (32') as the two sides registered just a single shot each in the opening 45 minutes.
Chelsea pull away late…
Olivier Echouafni brought on Wang after the break, but it was another substitute, Chelsea's Kirby, who produced the first spark with a shot that flashed just wide of Endler's goal (53'). Lawrence provided the riposte as she tested Berger following some delightful approach play (61'). Chelsea though seized the initiative through Blundell, who lobbed Endler from the edge of the area (1-0, 73'). It was the hosts' first shot on target...the Rouge-et-Bleu suffered another bitter taste of Chelsea's clinical streak in the closing stages. Ericsson's header hit a post (81') before Cuthbert added a second from a tight angle (2-0, 88').
Next Wednesday, Paris Saint-Germain will count on a great atmosphere at the Stade Jean Bouin to help them overturn their first-leg deficit.
CHELSEA - PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN: 2-0 (0-0)
UEFA Women’s Champions League - Quarter-final first leg
Cherry Red Records Stadium (Kingston)
2260 fans
Goals: Blundell (73') and Cuthbert (88').
CHELSEA: Berger - Blundell, Ericsson, Mjelde, Andersson - Ingle, Spence (Carter, 90'), Ji (Kirby, 52') - England (Bachmann, 59'), Carney (c) - Cuthbert. Coach: Emma Hayes.
PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN: Endler - Perisset, Paredes, Berglund, Morroni - Diallo (Wang, 46'), Formiga (c), Geyoro - Diani (Bruun, 79'), Lawrence (Baltimore, 90') - Katoto. Coach: Olivier Echouafni.