Two of the teams that delivered one of the best Champions League matchups in the 2014-2015 season will meet again, but this time in a pre-season friendly. Chelsea, the Premier League holders, will be taking on Paris Saint Germain, the current Ligue 1 champions. Both sides have lots to show to their North American fans, who will surely be pleased by these team's performance.
Chelsea's pre-season is not going as they were used to. Contrary to their prior summers, this time the Blues have seen some of their key players leaving the team, while a number of questionable players have joined them. Among those who left are Petr Cech and Didier Drogba, while Colombian Radamel Falcao joined on loan after a very disappointing season with Manchester United. Mourinho needs to use these games to put his team in shape as soon as possible, since their August 2 meeting against Arsenal will have them fighting for the first trophy of the 2015-2016 season.
These game will also give Mourinho a chance to re-unite with some former players, such as Zlatan Ibrahimovic and David Luiz. While his relationship with the Swedish superstar is top, the way he let the Brazilian join Les Parisiens was not what you would call amicable. It will be interesting to see if "Ibra" can put on a good display with the French team, since Chelsea has been rumored to be one of his potential destinations in this summer transfer window.
Speaking of the French champions, coach Laurent Blanc is working with almost the same team that won four major trophies last season, including the Ligue 1 title for the third year in a row. Following Financial Fair Play regulations, PSG' business this summer will be limited, and all transactions must be approved by UEFA before they even get close to making a deal. While some top targets like Argentinean wingman Angel Di Maria arrive, Blanc will be working with some talented players like Marco Verratti, "Ibra", Cavani, Lucas Moura and many more, with their hopes set on repeating their performance of the past twelve months.
During the current North American tour, PSG has won its two previous matches, defeating Benfica in Toronto with a 3-2 score, while schooling Fiorentina 4-2 in New Jersey. On the other hand, Chelsea's first game ended up with a 4-2 loss against New York Red Bulls, and following their matchup against Les Parisiens, Mourinho's crew will take on Barcelona in the final game of their pre-season.
Team sheets for Chelsea vs PSG
Chelsea's lineup: Begovic; Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry (c), Azpilicueta; Mikel, Matic; Moses, Fabregas, Hazard; Diego Costa.
PSG's lineup: Trapp, Stambouli, Moura, Ibrahimovic, Matuidi, Maxwell, Aurier, Van der Wiel, Verratti, Augustin, David Luiz.
Match details, result and original broadcast info
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