'Mourinho will try to bring the heat' - Blanc warns PSG not to rise to Chelsea provocation

The former France coach believes the Portuguese will brief his players to provoke the opposition and is keen to avoid suspensions on top of an injury crisis

Feb 16, 2015 15:31:00

SP Jose Mourinho ChelseaBy Liam Twomey at Parc des Princes

Laurent Blanc has warned his Paris Saint-Germainplayers to keep their heads against Chelsea in Tuesday's Champions League round of 16 first-leg clash after suggesting Jose Mourinho will try to "bring the heat".

PSG prepare to face the Premier League leaders with a squad decimated by injuries - Serge Aurier, Lucas Moura and Yohan Cabaye all picked up problems in Saturday's disappointing 2-2 draw with Caen that will keep them out of the game, while Marquinhos, Thiago Motta, Javier Pastore and Blaise Matuidi all face late fitness tests.

With his resources already significantly depleted, Blanc is keen to ensure the situation is not compounded by suspensions arising from Tuesday's game and believes Mourinho may brief his Chelsea players to try to provoke their opponents.

The former France coach's warning was particularly directed at playmaker Marco Verratti, as the 22-year-old has already been red carded five times in his short career with Pescara and PSG.

"Tomorrow there will be a lot of pressure and Marco is a player who takes responsibility on the pitch," Blanc told reporters.

"He always does, but where I think we expect him to improve is in the way he controls himself and manages himself. He must show he has improved on that level.

"Knowing Mourinho a little bit I think he'll try to bring the heat up on the pitch if you see what I mean, so our players need to remain cool-headed, not react and keep calm.

"We can't allow yellow cards and suspensions because we don't have many players in the squad."

Blanc is hoping that star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic can make the difference for his side at Parc des Princes, but insists it is just as crucial that Chelsea are kept at bay at the other end.

"Both coaches will expect a lot from their team and their team leaders," he added. "The big leaders need to bring their teams up in big games, so I expect a lot from Ibra as I expect a lot from all of my players.

"Tomorrow the right equation is to show a strong will to score and to defend well, and I think it will be the same for Mourinho. He will expect a lot from Hazard, but there will be many quality players who can make the difference.

"Ibra is one of them and I hope he can be decisive and efficient up front."

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