Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior blamed ‘a loopy quarter-hour’ after a catastrophic late collapse in opposition to Paris St-Germain left their European dream in tatters.
A 5-2 defeat at the Parc des Princes leaves the Blues staring down the barrel of a last-16 Champions League exit, however the method of defeat will hang-out Rosenior and his gamers.
Chelsea had battled again twice to stage and appeared set to flee with a vital draw when catastrophe struck within the 74th minute. Filip Jorgensen’s careless move was intercepted by Bradley Barcola, who teed up substitute Khvicha Kvaratskhelia to arrange Vitinha for a chip over the stranded keeper.
What adopted was an entire meltdown. Kvaratskhelia added two late targets whereas the evening descended into chaos – Pedro Neto wrestled a ball boy to the bottom in a battle for the ball, and vice-captain Enzo Fernandez was seen furiously confronting Jorgensen after one other error led to a disallowed purpose.
The brave efficiency that noticed Malo Gusto and Fernandez cancel out strikes from Barcola and Ousmane Dembele was utterly undone by a collapse within the ultimate quarter of an hour.
“A really disappointing end result on a night the place for a lot of the sport we have been actually comfortable,” Rosenior mentioned. “The final quarter-hour have been loopy. That’s on me.
“We have to be higher in moments when setbacks and errors occur. It’s good to keep calm within the second, me included. It’s a painful one as a result of for 75 minutes we have been within the tie.”
Jorgensen’s Blunder: The Turning Level in Paris
Jorgensen has solely lately displaced Robert Sanchez in purpose however on a week littered with goalkeeping errors his was expensive.
“Gamers make errors,” Rosenior insisted. “Filip shouldn’t be the primary to make a mistake. In that second at 2-2 we’re within the ascendency. Within the high stage it’s advantageous margins. The fifth purpose was essentially the most painful one. We didn’t cope with a primary sample of play, they scored a fifth and made the tie very troublesome.”
Neto supplied his shirt to the ball boy he’d knocked over, however the incident solely added to a depressing night for the Blues.
“If there was something from our aspect that was incorrect or out of order I apologise on behalf of the membership,” mentioned Rosenior.
Chelsea’s ambition in taking over the European champions backfired as their defensive naivety was ruthlessly uncovered. They gave Dembele and Barcola far an excessive amount of house, didn’t compete for second balls, and have been repeatedly carved open by PSG’s fast transitions.
“We’ve shot ourselves within the foot and made this tie very troublesome,” Rosenior admitted. “Even at 4-2, it’s not the most effective end result however we’re nonetheless proper on this at Stamford Bridge. The fifth purpose, that’s the painful one. It’s one thing I actually have to resolve. We’re very near being an impressive staff.”
PSG supervisor Luis Enrique acknowledged his aspect had been examined.
“It has been troublesome however I feel all people supporting PSG was comfortable as a result of the result’s good. It was very robust as a result of each groups have been attempting to play soccer,” he mentioned. “That is a very powerful second for us on this competitors, we all know it’s going to be robust away at Chelsea. I feel we performed effectively at a excessive stage in opposition to a troublesome aspect. I’m comfortable.”
The draw for the Champions League quarter-finals is:
Paris Saint-Germain or Chelsea v Galatasaray or Liverpool
Real Madrid or Manchester Metropolis v Atalanta or Bayern Munich
Newcastle or Barcelona v Atletico Madrid or Tottenham
Bodo/Glimt or Sporting CP v Bayer Leverkusen v Arsenal
The draw for the Champions League semi-finals is:
Silver path: PSG/Chelsea/Galatasaray/Liverpool v Actual Madrid/Manchester Metropolis/Atalanta/Bayern Munich
Blue path: Newcastle/Barcelona/Atlético Madrid/Tottenham v Bodo/Sporting CP/Bayer Leverkusen/Arsenal
