Team News: Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic partners Gary Cahill, Zlatan Ibrahimovic returns for PSG

Ivanovic partners Cahill, Ibrahimovic returns

Branislav Ivanovic will partner Gary Cahill in the centre of Chelsea's defence for tonight's Champions League last-16 first leg against Paris Saint-Germain at Parc des Princes, while Zlatan Ibrahimovic returns to the lineup for the French side.

Interim Chelsea boss Guus Hiddink has made two changes to his team, both of which have been enforced.

Captain John Terry has been ruled out due to injury, meaning that Ivanovic has moved into a centre-back position and Baba Rahman has come into the back four.

The other change involves the midfield as Nemanja Matic misses out due to suspension and is replaced with John Obi Mikel.

As for PSG, Ibrahimovic, who was sent off in this fixture last season, has returned to the fold after being rested against Lille at the weekend, and Thiago Silva has also returned to the defence.

Thiago Motta and Maxwell have made their returns to the starting XI, while Marco Verratti, who recently signed a contract extension with PSG, keeps his place in the side.

Paris Saint-Germain: Trapp; Marquinhos, Silva, Luiz, Maxwell; Verratti, Thiago Motta, Matuidi; Moura, Ibrahimovic, Di Maria Subs: Sirigu, Van Der Wiel, Kurzawa, Rabiot, Stambouli, Pastore, Cavani

Chelsea: Courtois; Azpilicueta, Cahill, Ivanovic, Baba Rahman; Fabregas, Mikel; Pedro, Willian, Hazard; Costa Subs: Begovic, Miazga, Loftus-Cheek, Oscar, Kenedy, Traore, Remy

Follow Sports Mole's live text commentary of the game here.

Share this article:
Subscribe to our newsletter

Get FREE daily news and in-depth previews for games from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football — straight to your inbox.

Subscribe