Ivanovic proud of Chelsea's courage against PSG

Branislav Ivanovic, Captain on the day thanks to Terry's absence, started at center back for the first time since two games at the end of the 2013-14 season, when he and partner Tomas Kalas famously shut down Liverpool and Anfield and then collected a win on the final day of the season against Cardiff City.  We have to go back even further for the pairing of Cahill-Ivanovic, last seen in the Europa League final in 2013.  The crucial block in yesterday's game reminded a bit of the block in the last minute of that final against Benfica, though this time we didn't manage a last-minute dream goal.  Instead, it was Edinson Cavani who undid our defense with an expert spin and a lucky finish.

Still, Ivanovic was proud of our efforts and the way we approached the game.

"It was a very difficult game, we tried to play our game and to score the away goal but in the end they scored a massive goal. It was very difficult moment for our team because of a lot of things, but we came here with courage and we tried to score the goal."

"We had a couple of chances before they scored the second goal. We could have won the game and scored a second one. We lost a bit of concentration in the end and we were a little bit open, and the strikers like Paris have use every single chance. We have to be more careful with this kind of thing because these small details can decide a game. We kept fighting, it was difficult and we will try to do everything to win at home to go through."

-Branislav Ivanovic; source: BT Sport via FourFourTwo

That away goal could prove most crucial; a 1-0 home win for Chelsea would be enough to advance.  Chances are we will be back to our usual defensive configuration by then — the second leg is not for another three weeks — though Baba Rahman certainly made a good case for more minutes yesterday and could give Hiddink a dilemma.