• Champions League

PSG must prevent Chelsea parking the bus - Ba

Demba Ba fears Chelsea will try to park the bus if they take the lead in their battle for a place in the Champions League quarter-finals with Paris Saint-Germain.

Ba, 29, was part of the Chelsea squad that lost 3-1 in the first leg of last season's quarter-final tie with PSG and scored the decisive late goal in a 2-0 return win to send the Premier League side through on away goals.

The sides meet at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday with Chelsea in the driving seat following their 1-1 draw at the Parc des Princes last month. But Ba, who left Chelsea for Besiktas last summer, told RMC claimed the scoreline could help PSG.

"This time, in terms of concentration, the Parisians know they mustn't make mistakes at the back and they won't," he said. "PSG mustn't concede an early goal, because when Chelsea decide to defend, it becomes difficult.

"The situation is better, but it's still difficult because Paris can score goals. Last year, there were no calculations to be made. It was simpler. When Pastore scored his splendid goal at the Parc des Princes, all of Paris thought it was all done for the semi-finals.

"At 2-1, it would perhaps have been different, but that meant there was undoubtedly a little too much confidence - and we capitalised."

Ba's departure from west London followed those of Fernando Torres and Samuel Eto'o. In their stead, Chelsea brought in Diego Costa to give Jose Mourinho the top-grade striker he had publicly demanded, and also bolstered midfield with Cesc Fabregas.

"The arrivals of Fabregas and Diego Costa have strengthened the squad," Ba admitted. "There is also [Nemanja] Matic, who couldn't play in the Champions League last season.

"Eden [Hazard] has been brilliant in every game this season. The team is stronger, but PSG are also exceptional and the Parisians know what to expect."

Mourinho criticised PSG's physicality in the first leg, particularly in halting the dangerous Hazard - but denied trying to send a message to Dutch referee Bjorn Kuipers, who will take charge of the tie.

Ba explained Mourinho's message to his players will be that which he delivers before every fixture, regardless of the competition.

"He's always the same," Ba said. "I remember that he told us one day during training: 'There are no friendly matches, competitive matches or training matches. There are just matches'.

"I can tell you that for Mourinho this match is just as important as the one they will play next weekend in the league."

Demba Ba scored the late goal that sent Chelsea through to last year's Champions League semi-finals at PSG's expense © PA Photos

Enlarge

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd