• Champions League

Platini 'not surprised' PSG beat Chelsea

ESPN staff
March 13, 2015
A passive performance from Chelsea?

UEFA president Michel Platini is "not surprised" Paris Saint-Germain knocked Chelsea out of the Champions League.

PSG defied the odds at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday, playing for nearly 90 minutes with 10 men, twice coming back from a goal down to knock out Jose Mourinho's side on away goals after extra-time to progress to the last eight.

"It's a great achievement," said former France international Platini. "I'm not surprised they beat Chelsea. There is not much in it, they are cup games where anything can happen, but Paris are programmed to win the Champions League.

"It was in any case a great show, a very good game with great players and an unpredictable scenario. A 10 against 11, it was a great achievement by Paris. They stepped up a level when they bought the best players."

PSG had been knocked out by Barcelona and Chelsea at the quarter-final stage in the last two seasons, but midfielder Javier Pastore believes their Stamford Bridge triumph represents progress.

"There are still a lot of very good teams, but we have shown that we can match them," said Pastore. "It's the first time Paris has knocked one of them out. We're ready for great things."

Thiago Silva's extra-time header was enough to knock Chelsea out on away goals © Getty Images
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