PSG coach Laurent Blanc not writing off struggling Chelsea

Paris Saint-Germain captain Thiago Silva thinks his side will face an even tougher challenge than last season when they take on Chelsea in the round of 16 in the Champions League.

What’s more, in what might be their last meaningful game of the year, Chelsea face a fight to remain in the Champions League, not just for this campaign but for the future.

“The truth is that Juventus and PSG were two teams we didn’t want to draw”, he admitted as quoted by Sport.

“It’s going to be hard for us but the most important thing is that we show we’re improving in this competition and we’ll fight to get to the quarters”. And the odds will once again be against them when they take on the tournament favourites.

Arsenal this time face the mighty Catalans and they will need to overcome their own poor record against the side from the Nou Camp to progress.

“Football fans will enjoy themselves, we’re two sides that play similar styles with a similar understanding of the game”, he said. Here we will be coming up against a fine team who have already won the Champions League.

There is also a familiar feel about the Chelsea against PSG tie.

“February is not so far away, but there is nothing to say that Chelsea will still be in the same position, and nothing to say that we will be in the same form as we are now”.

That means a Clasico clash between Barcelona and Real Madrid, or an all-English tie, could not happen until the competition is down to the last eight.

Barcelona, as you would expect, casually strolled into the round of 16 by topping their group with 14 points.

Everybody wanted to avoid Barca and Bayern so we are not so lucky but Bayern will not be glad they drew Juve.

“It is an attractive tie, Arsenal are a good team with magnificent players and they play really good football”.

The two newcomers to the knockout rounds were drawn together: Gent will host Wolfsburg first in Belgium.

And Manchester City will play Dynamo Kiev, with the Ukrainian leg played behind closed doors.

The group winners will be away in the round of 16 first legs on 16/17 and 23/24 February, and at home in the return matches on 8/9 and 15/16 March.