PSG vs Chelsea team news: Thibaut Courtois has beaten Petr Cech to start Champions League clash

Thibaut Courtois set to return to first-team against PSG

Simon Johnson
Tuesday 17 February 2015 12:17 GMT
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Thibaut Courtois warms up before the match with Everton with Petr Cech in the background
Thibaut Courtois warms up before the match with Everton with Petr Cech in the background (Getty Images)

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Thibaut Courtois has won his battle with veteran keeper Petr Cech and will start Chelsea’s Champions League clash against Paris Saint Germain tonight, according to the Evening Standard.

Courtois was surprisingly dropped to the bench by manager Jose Mourinho last week and Cech impressed during a 1-0 victory over Everton.

The Belgium keeper, who was made first choice on his return from a three-year loan spell at Atletico Madrid in the summer, had made mistakes in the previous matches against Manchester City and Aston Villa.

Mourinho claimed Courtois was suffering from fatigue and Cech, Chelsea's No1 for the previous decade, looked on course to keep his place for the first leg of their last 16 tie against PSG.

However, it is believed Courtois will be recalled to the first XI to line up against the French champions in the Parc des Princes.

Chelsea do have concerns over midfielder Cesc Fabregas due to flu, while Oscar and Willian are carrying minor knocks, but top scorer Diego Costa is back from suspension.

Cech was excellent against Everton last week
Cech was excellent against Everton last week (Getty Images)

Mourinho believes Chelsea have improved since scraping past PSG on away goals in last season’s Quarter Final.

Chelsea lost the first leg of that tie 3-1 in Paris last April, but Mourinho insists there will be no repeat and believes they should be talked about at one of the favourites to win the competition alongside holders Real Madrid and Bayern Munich.

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