Wednesday 18 February 2015 11:32, UK
Matt Le Tissier believes Chelsea are ‘hot favourites’ to progress to the quarter-finals of the Champions League but cannot afford to be complacent in the second leg against Paris St Germain.
Branislav Ivanovic headed Chelsea into the lead in Paris but the hosts equalised shortly after half-time through Edinson Cavani.
With the tie level at 1-1, Jose Mourinho's side hold the advantage ahead of the return leg at Stamford Bridge but Le Tissier expects PSG to be dangerous.
“Chelsea are pretty hot favourites but there can be no complacency because PSG have got some very good players in their team,” said the Sky Sports pundit.
“I think this is an excellent result for Chelsea and it is in their favour when you consider last year they were 3-1 down and still went through. But PSG will still be dangerous on the counter at Stamford Bridge.”
The last time the teams met in west London it was Chelsea who won 2-0 to progress to the semi-finals of the Champions League.
And they will be favourites to overcome PSG again after holding out for a draw in the French capital in the first leg.
“They weren’t that adventurous but they didn’t park the bus,” said Le Tissier. “It was a solid and disciplined defensive display.
“Chelsea had to be disciplined and they got the away goal. They never committed many men forward except from set pieces when defenders would go up, but PSG are too good to try and snuff out the tie in one evening.”
Diego Costa was recalled to the Chelsea starting line-up after serving a three-match suspension but failed to have an impact on the match.
“There was a lot of rustiness,” said Le Tissier. “He was barely involved and when he was he was fouling the opposition. He didn’t get a sniff of goal the whole evening and was subbed towards the end.”
