Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho says Cameroon international Samuel Eto’O is not 100% fit, but may have a role to play in tonight’s Champions League quarter-finals second leg tie with Paris St-Germain.
Eto’O, who suffered a hamstring injury in the 6-0 drubbing of Arsenal at Stamford Bridge and has missed the club’s last three games, is in line to return against PSG, after training on Monday, although aside from his team mates.
“I don’t think he (Eto’O) is fit, fit. But to play tomorrow? Maybe”, said the Portuguese boss 24 hours to Tuesday night’s kick-off at Stamford Bridge.
!['I think we are going to win. We are going to score more goals than them.'- Mourinho.](https://informationng.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Jose-Mourinho-vs-PSG-Stamford-Bridge.jpg)
The ‘Blues’ have to overhaul a two-goal deficit if they are to keep any hope of winning an European trophy this season, after clinching the Europa League in 2013 and the Champions League in 2012.
The last time PSG played at the Bridge, they held Mourinho’s side to a goalless draw in 2004- the first time Mourinho’s failed to win an European fixture with Chelsea, having recorded four wins prior.
But Chelsea last came from two goals down to win an European fixture against Napoli in 2012, when they trailed 3-1 after the first-leg where Ezequiel Lavezzi struck twice for the Italian side. The Argentina forward was also on target to give PSG the 2-goal advantage at the Parc des Princes.
‘If you ask me if I think we are going to win tomorrow, yes I think we are,” Mourinho added. That’s the most important thing to listen to.
“In the end of the two legs I think we are going to score more goals than them, pure mathematics. By the end it can be 4-3 or 5-4 in our favour. If I don’t think that way I can go home tomorrow.
‘My reasons to believe? The reasons are not important, the belief is important. I believe and my players believe. That is the most important thing.
‘We have to enjoy the risk of the situation. At 9.30pm we can be out – and we know that we have this risk – but at 7.45pm we have a chance to be in the semi-final. At 7.45pm we have to have a smile on our face, going, playing, giving everything, and seeing what happens at 9.30pm. At 7.45pm we will believe we can do it.’
The Portuguese boss also explained that PSG’s lack of recent experience in the European championship will count for nothing, adding that he has no special plans for midfielder Thiago Motta, because he side will have to get off pressing for goals and all through.
“Thiago Motta is good but can play free tomorrow, I’ve no defensive plan for him. We have to attack, not worry about him,” he added.
Winger Andre Schurrle, who came off injured against Stoke on Saturday, should be fit for the decisive tie.
John Obi Mikel may replace the suspended Ramires or the ineligible Nemanja Matic.
Meanwhile PSG will be without Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who came off with a thigh injury in last week’s first leg.
Edinson Cavani, PSG’s £55m summer signing from Napoli, will replace the Swede in the attack.