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[monks data]
PSG logo
Pre-season Friendlies
Jul 25, 2015 at 11.10pm UK
 
Chelsea logo

1-1

FT(HT: 1-0)
Moses (65')
Chelsea win 6-5 on penalties

Preview: Paris Saint-Germain vs. Chelsea

Sports Mole previews the International Champions Cup match between the title winners from France and England, Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea.

The champions of France and England meet at the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina in a pre-season friendly on Saturday night.

The match is part of the International Champions Cup that involves other European powerhouses such as Barcelona and Manchester United, as well as three teams from MLS.


PSG

Paris Saint-Germain's Uruguyan forward Edinson Cavani is congratulated by teammates after his goal during the French L1 football match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) vs Reims on May 23, 2015© Getty Images

Laurent Blanc's men secured their third straight Ligue 1 title in May by winning the league by eight points. They then completed a domestic treble with a 1-0 victory over Auxerre in the Coupe de France final.

Since returning from their summer break, the French side have been firing in the goals with 10 being scored in their three pre-season victories so far.

Two of those have been in the International Champions Cup, with Benfica going down in Toronto before Fiorentina were put to the sword on Tuesday in New Jersey.

Jean Augustin is the competition's top scorer, having netted three times in the two wins.

This is the first time that PSG have competed in the ICC, and they are also the first French outfit to feature in the pre-season tournament.

Recent form: WWWWWW


Chelsea

John Terry celebrates with his teammates as Chelsea lift the Premier League trophy on May 24, 2015© Getty Images

Jose Mourinho's side ended a five-year wait for the Premier League title and like PSG finished eight points clear at the top of the table.

After a pair of wins against Thailand All-Stars and Sydney FC to begin their pre-season, Chelsea flew out to the States and got off to a losing start last night.

Loic Remy's goal gave Mourinho's men a half-time lead, but they collapsed after the interval and ended up losing 4-2 as goalkeeper Asmir Begovic had a first appearance to forget.

Mourinho has since criticised the defence for their leaky display in the second 45, but also played down the defeat because it is just pre-season.

Chelsea didn't compete in the ICC last year, but were runners-up to Real Madrid in the tournament's inaugural year in 2013.

Recent form: DLWWWL


Team News

John Terry of Chelsea (C) celebrates scoring the opening goal with Diego Costa and Gary Cahill of Chelsea during the Capital One Cup Final match against Tottenham on March 1, 2015© Getty Images

Blanc has one of the smaller squads at the tournament, so has only made 11 changes in total in the two ICC games they have played.

The likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Blaise Matuidi and Lucas Moura should start, while new signing Benjamin Stambouli could be in the XI for the first time after coming off the bench against Fiorentina.

Mourinho, meanwhile, is likely to make several changes after criticising his side's performance against the Red Bulls.

Asmir Begovic will still start the match in goal, while further forward Diego Costa might get the nod over Remy up front.

PSG possible starting lineup:
Sirigu; Van der Wiel, Aurier, Marquinhos, Maxwell; Stambouli, Rablot, Matuidi; Augustin, Ibrahimovic, Lucas

Chelsea possible starting lineup:
Begovic; Ivanovic, Zouma, Terry, Azpilicueta; Loftus-Cheek, Fabregas, Matic; Oscar, Costa, Hazard


Head To Head

These two sides are used to facing each other, having met in the knockout stages of the Champions League the last two seasons.

In 2014, Chelsea eked through to the semi-finals on away goals thanks to Demba Ba's late goal at Stamford Bridge, but this year in the last 16 it was PSG celebrating at the Bridge.

After the first leg ended in a 1-1 draw, it seemed that the Blues would again go through on away goals as the match was goalless going into the last 10 minutes.

Gary Cahill then put the home side in front, but former Blue David Luiz equalised soon after to send the tie into extra time. The following 30 minutes saw two more goals and that meant that it was PSG advancing to the quarters on away goals.


Sports Mole Logo

We say: PSG 1-3 Chelsea

It might only be a friendly, but that Chelsea might just be a bit more up for this given their defeat to the Red Bulls and the fact that they want to avenge the Champions League defeat earlier this year.



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Written by
Pascal Lemesre
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Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho looks on prior to kick-off in the Champions League semi-final first leg match against Atletico Madrid on April 22, 2014
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