The European Champions League returns on Tuesday night as Jose Mourinho's Chelsea, current leaders of the English Premier League, take on French champions Paris Saint-Germain. The Portuguese, often a controversial character, has won plenty of trophies with the London club, but never Europe's top club prize.
The Special One —
The European Champions League returns on Tuesday night as Jose Mourinho's Chelsea, current leaders of the English Premier League, take on French champions Paris Saint-Germain. The Portuguese, often a controversial character, has won plenty of trophies with the London club, but never Europe's top club prize.
BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images
Standing in Mourinho's way is PSG's maverick Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Known for his vast reserves of self confidence, Ibrahimovic is as enigmatic as they come. He was coached by Mourinho for one year at Inter Milan but left for Barcelona, the year before the Portuguese led the Italian club to the Champions League crown.
I Am Zlatan —
Standing in Mourinho's way is PSG's maverick Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Known for his vast reserves of self confidence, Ibrahimovic is as enigmatic as they come. He was coached by Mourinho for one year at Inter Milan but left for Barcelona, the year before the Portuguese led the Italian club to the Champions League crown.
KENZO TRIBOUILLARD/AFP/Getty Images
PSG's coach Laurent Blanc is presiding over an injury crisis going into the clash with Chelsea. He led the club to its second successive Ligue 1 triumph last year but will ultimately be judged on how he does in Europe. Lose to Chelsea and this could be his last season in charge.
Drawning a Blanc —
PSG's coach Laurent Blanc is presiding over an injury crisis going into the clash with Chelsea. He led the club to its second successive Ligue 1 triumph last year but will ultimately be judged on how he does in Europe. Lose to Chelsea and this could be his last season in charge.
PHILIPPE DESMAZES/AFP/Getty Images
Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich took control of Chelsea in 2003 and spent an estimated $2.9 billion during his first 10 years in charge. The club won its first English league title in over 50 years by 2005 but the prize he really wanted -- the Champions League -- didn't arrive until 2012. Abramovich is worth $9bn, according to Forbes.
Do as the Roman does —
Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich took control of Chelsea in 2003 and spent an estimated $2.9 billion during his first 10 years in charge. The club won its first English league title in over 50 years by 2005 but the prize he really wanted -- the Champions League -- didn't arrive until 2012. Abramovich is worth $9bn, according to Forbes.
Christof Koepsel/Bongarts/Getty Image
PSG was taken over by Qatar Sports Investments in June 2011, going on to claim its first league title for 19 years in 2013. Led by chairman Nasser Al-Khelaifi it has also spent big -- the purchase of defender David Luiz from Chelsea in May 2014 costing it an estimated $76 million -- but it has fallen foul of UEFA's Financial Fair Play laws, being fined by Europe's governing body last year.
Qatari backing —
PSG was taken over by Qatar Sports Investments in June 2011, going on to claim its first league title for 19 years in 2013. Led by chairman Nasser Al-Khelaifi it has also spent big -- the purchase of defender David Luiz from Chelsea in May 2014 costing it an estimated $76 million -- but it has fallen foul of UEFA's Financial Fair Play laws, being fined by Europe's governing body last year.
LIONEL BONAVENTURE/AFP/Getty Images
Diego Costa has been Chelsea's main marksman this season after joining from Spanish champions Atletico Madrid. He has 17 Premier League goals to his name and will be a key factor in the last 16 clash.
Costa packet —
Diego Costa has been Chelsea's main marksman this season after joining from Spanish champions Atletico Madrid. He has 17 Premier League goals to his name and will be a key factor in the last 16 clash.
Clive Rose/Getty Images
The teams met in the Champions League quarterfinals last season, Chelsea going through on away goals thanks to an 87th minute winner from Senegal striker Demba Ba. In the scenes of celebration that followed, Mourinho sprinted down the touchline to join the celebrations and offer some tactical advice.
De ja Blues —
The teams met in the Champions League quarterfinals last season, Chelsea going through on away goals thanks to an 87th minute winner from Senegal striker Demba Ba. In the scenes of celebration that followed, Mourinho sprinted down the touchline to join the celebrations and offer some tactical advice.
Julian Finney/Getty Images/file