ensured Paris Saint-Germain held Chelsea
to a 1-1 draw in the UEFA Champions
League.
Edinson Cavani's 17th goal of season
maintained Paris Saint-Germain's long
unbeaten home record in Europe but
Chelsea will be favourites to reach the
UEFA Champions League quarter-finals
after drawing 1-1 at the Parc des Princes.
Branislav Ivanovic's first-half header put
the Premier League leaders in front in
Tuesday's round-of-16 first leg, but that
was harsh on injury-hit PSG – unbeaten at
home in UEFA competition since 2006.
Laurent Blanc's side suffered a
heartbreaking quarter-final defeat against
Chelsea on away goals last season – after
winning the first leg in the French capital
3-1 – and Ivanovic's opener was a blow to
their hopes of gaining revenge.
The Ligue 1 champions were deservedly
level just nine minutes into the second
half, though, when Uruguay striker Cavani
rose unmarked to head home.
PSG looked the more likely to fashion a
winner but were routinely denied by off-
target finishing and returning Chelsea
goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, whose goal
they will certainly have to breach again in
second leg at Stamford Bridge next
month.
Counting the cost of a dramatic draw
against Caen at the weekend, PSG were
without Yohan Cabaye, Serge Aurier and
Lucas Moura but made a composed start
nevertheless as Blaise Matuidi drew
Courtois into action with a firm header.
Courtois had to deal with Zlatan
Ibrahimovic's header soon after and
Cavani also worked the Belgian with a
similar effort after Chelsea were caught
napping from an Ezequiel Lavezzi corner
11 minutes before the break.
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