Despite fighting talk Lavezzi misses out in Chelsea mix and match

Ahead of the first leg of Paris St-Germain’s quarter-final clash with Chelsea, their Argentine forward Ezequiel Lavezzi has been busy giving it the big one about his side’s chances of progression to the semi finals.

“Chelsea are a big team but it did not matter who we drew: we don’t fear anybody,” said Lavezzi.

“We have to respect Chelsea of course because they have a successful coach and very good players but now, if you ask me who are the superior team, then I have to say PSG.”

However, here at news.ladbrokes we decided to take Lavezzi to task by selecting a combined XI of the best players for each position.

And just as both club’s have exactly the same odds of 9/10 to qualify, we found the balance to be much more even than the way Lavezzi has called it.

It will be a surprise to many, but donning the gloves is PSG’s Italian stopper Salvatore Sirigu ahead of Petr Cech.

In truth, there is only a gnat’s whisker between them, though consultation with their key stats for this season has Sirigu down as the slightly more effective keeper.

In defence, it’s a straight split of the two club’s resources with John Terry and Thiago Silva – both captains of their respective teams – occupying the centre ground, while Branislav Ivanovic slots in at right-back and Maxwell on the left.

Maxwell may be 32, but the former Barcelona man is still gifted in possession and as a genuine left-footer he keeps out the naturally right-footed Cesar Azpilicueta, who is unfortunate to be left on the sidelines.

The midfield three was an absolute minefield with so much talent to choose from. After serious deliberation PSG’s Blaze Matuidi loses out to all-action Chelsea counterpart Ramires, while man mountain Nemanja Matic edges out Marco Verratti and Thiago Motta is preferred to Oscar.

Up front Lavezzi’s own position on the left of the PSG attack is surrendered to Chelsea whirlwind Eden Hazard, though there aren’t many teams in the world who could justifiably keep out the force of nature that is Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

On the right of the three pronged attack, Edinson Cavani gets the nod as Willian and Andre Schurrle are not quite on the same plateau as the Uruguayan striker.

Do you agree or are you outraged?

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