Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior returns to France for a Champions League last-16 clash with PSG, aiming to exploit the holders’ recent vulnerabilities.
CHELSEA manager Liam Rosenior makes a swift return to French football this week. His new side faces Paris Saint-Germain in a highly-anticipated Champions League last-16 tie.
Rosenior left Strasbourg for Stamford Bridge just two months ago. He was appointed by Chelsea in January on a six-year contract following an impressive 18-month spell in Alsace.
The 41-year-old led Strasbourg to European qualification last season. He implemented a sophisticated, high-pressing style with a very young squad.
His knowledge of PSG from Ligue 1 could prove valuable. Strasbourg were one of only two teams to beat the French champions in the league last season.
They also secured a 3-3 draw at the Parc des Princes in October. “We were playing against the best team in the world, full stop,” Rosenior said of PSG after that match.
This fixture renews a rivalry from the last decade. The clubs met in three consecutive Champions League knockout stages between 2014 and 2016.
Their most recent meeting was last July’s Club World Cup final. Chelsea won that match 3-0 against a fatigued PSG side in New Jersey.
Rosenior has lost just three of his 15 games in charge of Chelsea. All those defeats came against Premier League leaders Arsenal.
Chelsea enter the tie in decent form. A 4-1 win at Aston Villa and an FA Cup victory at Wrexham have boosted confidence.
PSG, however, appear more vulnerable than usual. They suffered a damaging 3-1 home defeat to Monaco on Friday.
French sports daily L’Equipe described the champions as being “on the verge of a crisis”. The team has already lost four times in 2026.
Their lead at the top of Ligue 1 is now just one point. In Europe, they are considered a level below contenders like Arsenal and Bayern Munich.
Fitness issues have plagued their season following a marathon previous campaign. Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele only recently returned from a calf injury.
Key midfielders Fabian Ruiz and Joao Neves have been absent. The team has also struggled to adequately replace goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.
“We are clearly in difficulty at the moment but we need to maintain hope that will change,” PSG coach Luis Enrique said on Friday. “Confidence is not just something you buy at the supermarket.”
Rosenior will hope to exploit these weaknesses. He aims to emulate Roberto Di Matteo and Thomas Tuchel, who both won the Champions League after mid-season Chelsea appointments.
“These are the games you live for, games that you come into football for,” Rosenior said after the draw was made.
The Sun Malaysia
