The Italian has coached both sides in the past and believes that the Frenchmen have the greater chance of progression, although he has predicted it will be difficult for them
Carlo Ancelotti has predicted that Chelsea will approach their Champions League last-16 first-leg encounter with Paris Saint-Germain with a defensive mindset.
Guus Hiddink’s side travel to the Parc des Princes without John Terry and Kurt Zouma due to injuries, and after a difficult campaign to date, the Italian does not see his former side adopting an aggressive approach against another team he formerly coached.
Instead, Ancelotti believes the match will provide a great contrast of styles.
“Chelsea will play more defensively and try to use the counter-attack,” he told Goal. “PSG will be the opposite. They play at home and will want to have a good result to be more relaxed when they play at Stamford Bridge.
“Maybe PSG have a greater chance, but playing against Hiddink’s team is very difficult.”
The veteran Italian coach also revealed how he would motivate his sides for such big matches.
“The only thing you can do is prepare well,” he said. “So you use the hours before the game to prepare the players, show them some videos and build a good strategy for the game. It helps the players avoid pressure, which is normal for this type of game.”
This will be the third straight season these sides have clashed in the knockout stages of the Champions League, with each claiming one victory.
- Goal