PSG - Chelsea (CL Preview)
Chelsea FC manager José Mourinho has cautioned his players against wearing their hearts on their sleeves as they embark on their UEFA Champions League Group H campaign at Paris Saint-Germain FC.
Mental approach
Mourinho led FC Porto to the European crown last season with a 3-0 final victory in Germany against PSG's domestic rivals AS Monaco FC before departing almost immediately for west London. The Portuguese coach believes the mental approach to Champions League matches is a crucial factor in a team's success.
Different cultures
"One of the secrets to success is to have a tactical culture which helps you adapt," he said. "To play a French side is not the same as playing an Italian side or a Spanish side. The players must be able to think for themselves on the pitch and not just play with their hearts or how the opposition want them to play. Emotions have to be kept in check."
Pauleta warning
It promises to be an intense evening at a Parc des Princes filled to capacity, as PSG return to the Champions League after a three-year absence. Mourinho’s compatriot and PSG vice-captain Pauleta said that although his side had not won a Ligue 1 game in 2004/05, Chelsea should not underestimate their hosts. "For the first time this season we'll be the underdogs and that will help us," the striker said. "Chelsea are better than us but I think we are capable of beating them."
Coach's caution
His coach Vahid Halihodzic was more cautious. "A draw would be a good result given the start to the season we've had," he said. "They do not concede many goals and it is difficult to play on the counterattack against them. We will have to get it right defensively before we even think about attacking."
Hélder decision
Halihodzic has to cope without suspended Colombian central defender Mario Yepes and will leave it until the last minute to decide whether to replace him with Portuguese veteran Hélder who is short of match fitness. But Halihodzic has forward Danijel Ljuboja and full-back Bernard Mendy available again after injury.
Aiming for victory
Mourinho, whose squad lacks only injured goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini, full-back Celestine Babayaro and winger Arjen Robben, began his winning campaign last season with a 1-1 draw at FK Partizan, but is aiming for victory in Paris.
'Attacking football'
"We are not here to play defensively," he said. "We are solid, compact and hard to beat. But we have also played good attacking football this season and we have enough quality to score goals away from home. We have six group matches and we will play to win them all."
Rothen quality
Not that he is underestimating Halihodzic's side. Mourinho warned: "Teams raise their game for the Champions League. I know PSG are well organised and it helps them that they have largely the same same squad of players as last season and the same coach. And signing Jérome Rothen adds some real quality. He's a fantastic crosser of a ball."
Beautiful game
With Porto visiting Chelsea on Matchday 2, and improving PFC CSKA Moskva also in the group, Mourinho could not help but be excited by the return to a competition he showed such mastery of last term. "Champions League football is the most beautiful football," the Chelsea manager said. "It is superior in quality to the football played by national sides in the [UEFA] European Championship or [FIFA] World Cup. And we are in Paris to win."
Source: Uefa.com
