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Pauleta believes PSG capable of ousting Chelsea in Champions League

Xinhua, January 27, 2015 Adjust font size:

Retired Portugal soccer legend Pauleta told French radio station RMC on Monday that he believes his former club Paris Saint-Germain is capable of beating Chelsea in the coming Champions League last-16 encounters.

The 41-year-old, who said his farewells to PSG in 2008 after spending five years with Les Parisiens, is confident that Laurent Blanc's side can turn the table around after being beaten by the Blues in last season's quarterfinals.

PSG, succumbing on away goals following a late Demba Ba strike in the second leg at Stamford Bridge earlier last year, will host the Premier League leaders at the Parc des Princes on Feb. 17 before heading to West London on March 11.

"It'll be difficult for Chelsea. In football, anything is possible," he said. "You saw that on Saturday that Chelsea lost against a third-division team. I think that with the squad they have, PSG can do battle with any team."

Chelsea were ousted from the FA Cup fourth round last weekend, alongside with the other top three teams in the Premierships, Manchester United and their cross-city rivals Manchester City.

PSG, on the contrary, were on their way back to victory as the defending champions nipped a 1-0 win over fourth-placed Saint- Etienne with a penalty from Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic on Sunday.

"There will be two very tight matches against a very strong Chelsea team that is having a great season. I think it's possible to go through, just as it's possible to lose. PSG and Chelsea are two big teams," added Pauleta.

"It's always difficult to play against Jose Mourinho teams. He' s perhaps the best coach out there right now. He's a coach of great quality, who has very physically and mentally strong teams. But I firmly believe it's possible for PSG to do something." Endite