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Wednesday, March 11, 2015

Live:Chelsea-Paris Saint-Germain Preview: Mourinho's men target more silverware

Chelsea-Paris Saint-Germain Preview: Mourinho's men target more silverware

Having already tasted League Cup success this season, the Blues are looking to maintain their search for the domestic and European treble
Gary Cahill has warned Paris Saint-Germain that Chelsea's recent League Cup victory has left the team hungry for more silverware as the sides prepare to meet in the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie.

The Premier League leaders won their first trophy of manager Jose Mourinho's second spell at the club when they defeated London rivals Tottenham 2-0 at Wembley earlier in March.

A hard-fought 1-0 victory at West Ham followed in the league as Chelsea made it eight games unbeaten since suffering a surprise 4-2 defeat to third-tier Bradford City in the FA Cup.

That loss afforded the Blues a rare weekend off and Cahill believes that the extra time spent on the training ground could be crucial in Wednesday's contest at Stamford Bridge, with the tie locked at 1-1.

"The cup final was huge in terms of the atmosphere around the club and the dressing room," he told Chelsea's official website. "We were desperate as a team, as a squad, to win that game.

"We came through it really well and hopefully, as a group, we can use the positive experiences from that and try to build momentum for many more cup finals. 

"We have had more time than we usually would to rest up and prepare in training for a good three or four days before the game. We've been able to really work on specific things in preparation for it.

"We know the quality of PSG and the job that lies ahead of us. It's going to be like a final, a big one-off game and we'll be ready to go out there and give it everything we have to get us into the next round."

Chelsea defeated PSG in last season's quarter-finals and return to London in better shape this time around, having trailed 3-1 following the first leg 12 months ago. 

For the big-spending Ligue 1 giants, the match offers the chance to finally make a statement in Europe's premier competition, having suffered last-eight defeats on the away goals rule to Barcelona and Chelsea in the last two seasons.

Former Chelsea defender David Luiz stoked the flames ahead of his return to Stamford Bridge by claiming that Mourinho was not special for him - a reference to the Portuguese's 'Special One' moniker.

The Brazil international also spoke of his belief that PSG can progress, a view shared by team-mate Blaise Matuidi.

"Wednesday's match will be a very tough one against a team full of confidence," he told PSG's official website. "But we're heading there to qualify."

Coach Laurent Blanc will have to make do without Serge Aurier (hamstring), Lucas Moura (groin) and Yohan Cabaye (thigh).

Chelsea will once more be without John Obi Mikel (knee) but Nemanja Matic should shake of an ankle injury sustained celebrating the League Cup win - despite the Serbian missing that match through suspension.

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