Jose Mourinho believes Chelsea still have a chance of qualifying for the semi-finals of the Champions League despite losing 3-1 in the first leg of their last-eight tie with Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday.
After a sluggish start, the Blues went down to an early Ezequiel Lavezzi strike, only for Eden Hazard to equalise from the penalty spot to send the teams in level at the break.
However, Mourinho’s men struggled to create much in the second period and a David Luiz own goal and a late effort from Javier Pastore means Les Parisiens will head into next week’s return leg in London with a considerable advantage.
The Champions League trophy, which Chelsea are 20.00 to win this season, has been one of the very few prizes that the Portuguese boss has been unable to win at Stamford Bridge and he himself has previously said the inexperience of his side makes it unlikely that they will be able to conquer Europe this term.
French champions PSG’s recent impressive recruitment drive also means they are now rightly regarded as one of the finest teams and that is reflected in the betting, with Laurent Blanc’s men currently priced at 8.50 to triumph in the competition.
Mourinho admits his side face a tough task next Tuesday in the return game in London but is refusing to rule out the possibility that they can still make it into the draw for the semi-finals.
“It’s a difficult job. It’s not impossible. Nothing is impossible but it’s difficult. They are the kind of team – with the players they have – out of nothing they can score goals. So it will not be an easy job,” he said.
“We are not a team full of talent to score lots of goals, especially at this level – but you never know.”
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