Jose Mourinho has admitted his Chelsea side were second best in Paris last night, and praised the “phenomenal” Thibault Courtois for his performance in keeping the PSG attack at bay.
Chelsea took the lead in the first half through a Branislav Ivanovic header that came against the run of play, although the hosts remained wasteful in possession and flat in retrieving it.
“I think the first half was our half,” Mourinho said. “Paris gave us the ball, played defensively ... they never put pressure on us and we were very, very comfortable moving the ball, having the ball, circulating the ball.”
The second period saw a more vibrant PSG and as the game wore on Chelsea’s night began to take on the look of a push for the finish line.
“The second half was different, they were losing, they put pressure on us they were aggressive, they were trying to be aggressive, recovering the ball quick,” Mourinho said.
“The second half was their half. I think 1-1 reflects one half for Chelsea, one half for Paris, but if you go to chances created and goalkeepers performances we have to be honest and say they had more than us so if somebody was closer to win the game that was Paris, not Chelsea.”
The Chelsea manager praised his goalkeeper for keeping his side in the game. Mourinho labelled the performance of Courtois “phenomenal”.
Courtois was called upon on several occasions, with Edison Cavanai and Zlatan Ibrahimovic both coming close.
“He made two or three important saves in the game,” Mourinho said.
“If football was about having nine outfield players plus two goalkeepers, we would give no chance to anyone,” said Mourinho. “We would be absolutely phenomenal because they’re both phenomenal.”
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