The Champions League was back in town last night as Chelsea travelled to France to play Paris Saint-Germain for the first leg of the competition.
The home side took the lead in the first half through a Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s free kick before John Obi Mikel equalized for the visitors. But a second half goal from Edinson Cavani gave PSG a slender lead going into the next leg.
Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand who was at the Parc des Princes as a part of the BT Sports team for the game felt that John Obi Mikel should have done way better to block Zlatan’s free kick that went in.
Mikel started it by tripping Lucas Moura at the edge of the penalty area and giving away a cheap free kick. He later turned his back when the free kick was stuck as the ball crept between the ball and ended up in the back of the net after Courtois was left unbalanced.
The former Manchester United player could not hide his indignation at Mikel’s role in the goal.
“In the changing rooms I’m sure they’re saying ‘what are you doing?” said Ferdinand.
“If you’re not going to have the balls to stand there then don’t be in the wall.”
“He’ll look back on this and be embarrassed.”
“You’ve got to stay strong, stay front on and want to take the ball in the face.”
Though Mikel redeemed himself straight away by scoring the equalizer and also an away goal, Ferdinand felt that he should have done far better to stop the free kick from going in.
These reactions from the ex-Red Devil straight away saw a disgruntled Chelsea fan post a reply on Twitter. He bought up a picture of Rio Ferdinand turning his back away from the ball standing in the wall.
“If you dont have the balls dont stand in the wall” ~ @rioferdy5
Look at him………#PSGCHE #Mikel#Zlatan pic.twitter.com/mRpgEvCLZ6
— Miguel Chines (@MiguelChines) February 16, 2016
The Cameroon international has revived his career at the club since Guus Hiddink has come on and will have to stay away from such controversy to keep his place in the squad.