Paris St Germain sustained their hopes of reaching the Champions League quarterfinals when Edinson Cavani’s powerful second-half header salvaged a 1-1 home draw against Chelsea in their last-16 first leg on Tuesday.
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Cavani struck early in the second half to cancel out Branislav Ivanovic’s first-half header, which was scored against the run of play after the French champions had dominated from the start at the Parc des Princes.
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Chelsea, who won last year’s quarterfinal with PSG on away goals, scored with their only chance while the hosts had several opportunities to take a lead into the second leg through Cavani and Zlatan Ibrahimovic but failed to take them.
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The return will be played at Stamford Bridge on March 11.
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PSG manager Laurent Blanc, having to deal with a barrage of injuries, fielded David Luiz in an unusual holding midfield position while Marquinhos paired up with fellow Brazilian Thiago Silva in central defence.
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PSG were without defensive midfielders Yohan Cabaye and Thiago Motta, fullback Serge Aurierand forward Lucas, who were all injured.
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Gregory van der Wiel started at right back with the task of containing Chelsea’s Belgium forward Eden Hazard, which he did rather well.
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Chelsea, who were only missing John Obi Mikel, looked content to sit back and wait, hoping to hit the hosts on the break.
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