• PSG v Chelsea, Champions League

Torres dropped as Schurrle keeps his Chelsea place

ESPN staff
April 2, 2014

Misfiring striker Fernando Torres has not been named in Jose Mourinho's starting XI as Chelsea attempt to become the first side to beat Paris Saint-Germain in a European match at the Parc des Princes since November 2006.

Torres, who has scored four goals in six Champions League appearances this season, could soon be on his way out of Stamford Bridge after Mourinho threatened to clear his Chelsea side of players who only get motivated for big games.

Instead of selecting the Spaniard, Mourinho has chosen Andre Schurrle as his replacement for Samuel Eto'o, who misses the quarter-final first leg with a hamstring injury. Torres and fellow striker Demba Ba have to settle for a place on the bench.

Oscar and Eden Hazard, two Chelsea players that have recently caught the eye of the Ligue 1 champions, also start as do the same back five which Mourinho jokingly named in his press conference on Tuesday.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who branded Chelsea as "super favourites" for the tie, starts for the home side as does the unsettled Edinson Cavani, who has long been a transfer target for the Blues.

Paris Saint-Germain: Sirigu, Jallet, Alex, Thiago Silva, Maxwell, Motta, Verratti, Matuidi, Lavezzi, Cavani, Ibrahimovic

Substitutes: Douchez, Cabaye, Marquinhos, Digne, Rablot, Pastore, Lucas

Chelsea: Cech; Ivanovic, Terry, Cahill, Azpilicueta; Ramires, Luiz; Willian, Oscar, Hazard, Schurrle

Substitutes: Schwarzer, Kalas, Ake, Mikel, Lampard, Torres, Ba

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd
ESPN staff Close

ABOUT COOKIES

To help make this website better, to improve and personalize your experience and for advertising purposes, are you happy to accept cookies and other technologies.

More Info Here Cookie Choices