Football
ESPN staff 9y

Chelsea captain John Terry feels PSG draw was fair result

John Terry told ITV that Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois was "different class" in the 1-1 Champions League last-16 draw at Paris Saint-Germain but insisted it was an even game.

Branislav Ivanovic's header on 36 minutes gave Chelsea the lead at the Parc des Princes, but PSG hit back when Edinson Cavani was allowed the space to head home an equaliser early in the second half.

PSG might feel they deserved more from the match after seeing Courtois produce a string of top-class saves to deny Cavani, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Blaise Matuidi, but Terry said after the match that he considered it to be "quite an even game."

However, the Chelsea captain also had strong praise for his keeper.

"Both teams were kind of feeling each other the first half in quite an even game and we managed to get one up," Terry said. "Difficult second half. Thibaut pulled off some great games to keep us in it and we got away with a happy draw."

Courtois was particularly impressive for Chelsea, making a string of fine saves after coming in for Petr Cech.

"He was different class," Terry added. "When you look at Petr in the week, he made two great saves from [Everton's Romelu] Lukaku to win us three points. "Thibaut came back in today. The competition is great and it is fierce amongst the squad. That's what is needed. We are all playing a team game."

PSG played former David Luiz in midfield, and Terry said the former Chelsea defender made life difficult on his former side.

"They keep the ball very well. They were in control of the game. Obviously, David, his range of passes is very good so they're able to stretch us.

"But I thought it was quite even tonight. I thought we've played OK. They've done quite well second half especially."

Chelsea had been beaten 3-1 when facing PSG in last season's competition before progressing to the semifinals on away goals after a 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge. Terry recognised that this year's result represented a significant improvement.

"I think they key was last year I think we made it very difficult for ourselves going back to the Bridge, but we're in a lot better position now," Terry said. "They're a very good side, especially going forward and it's going to be very tough, but we're in a better position than we were last year."

Jose Mourinho told ITV it was a "positive" result and, asked if Chelsea had got away with it, he replied: "When you look at the performance of our goalkeeper, you have to say yes. Our goalkeeper made two or three important saves in the game."

However, the Chelsea boss pointed to the fact five of his players had not trained in the buildup to the game, saying: "Sometimes people speak about the players, about their injuries and they don't play. But there were injured players that played and the injured players that didn't train to play.

"I have in this team five players that didn't train. Five players since the game against Everton, that didn't train once.

"Yesterday they had like a warm-down for the press to see they were on the pitch, but we had five players who didn't train.

"We felt that a little, so I am happy with the result because two legs is now one leg with everything to be decided at Stamford Bridge."

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