HIDDINK: AWAY GOALS GIVES CHELSEA HOPE AGAINST PSG

The Blues coach admits Edinson Cavani's late winner for the hosts hurt his side but s confident his side can turn the result around when they meet at Stamford Bridge

Guus Hiddink was keen to focus on the positives of Chelsea's performance despite their 2-1 loss at Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League on Tuesday.

John Obi Mikel was the unlikely scoring hero for the Premier League side, cancelling out Zlatan Ibrahimovic's deflected free-kick in first-half stoppage time.

Edinson Cavani slotted a cute finish past Thibaut Courtois at the near post to give the runaway Ligue 1 leaders victory on the night but veteran boss Hiddink feels the last-16 tie remains firmly in the balance.

"Yes, of course the result is negative but on the other hand it is always important to have an away goal," he told BT Sport.

"It hurt a bit at the end but the team is still in the race.

"On four or five counters, with the last pass we were not lethal enough but we can be happy with the performance.

"At the end, if we can do it at Stamford Bridge then a defeat in Paris doesn't count so much."

Mikel has re-established himself as a first-team starter under Hiddink, having also enjoyed his time during the Dutchman's previous tenure at Stamford Bridge in 2009.

"He's had a kind of little revival and it is good for him and the team," Hiddink said.

"The rest of the team is working very hard, very disciplined."

Hiddink insisted he was not concerned to be tackling one of Europe's in-form sides without injured central-defensive duo John Terry and Kurt Zouma, something he felt was vindicated by fine showings from Gary Cahill and Branislav Ivanovic at the heart of defence.

"We didn't worry a lot about the absence of some payers in central defence," he added.

"The rest have to do it, they had confidence and they did what has been asked."

DAVID LUIZ: PSG COULD HAVE SCORED MORE AGAINST CHELSEA

The Brazil international was delighted to beat his former side while match-winner Edinson Cavani underlined his team's desire to lift the European Cup this season

Paris Saint-Germain defender David Luiz believes his team could have scored more after claiming a 2-1 win over Chelsea in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 clash.

Edinson Cavani dispatched a second-half winner at the Parc des Princes on Tuesday after visiting midfielder John Obi Mikel cancelled out Zlatan Ibrahimovic's deflected free-kick on the stroke of half-time.

Chelsea and PSG have tangled in each of the last two seasons in Europe's premier competition, with either side earning a victory apiece on away goals.

Ex-Chelsea centre-back David Luiz is yet to finish on the losing side having moved to the French champions in 2014, but believes they have taken a good step towards a quarter-final berth.

"[It is] only a narrow win, but a win against a good team. I think we gave it our all tonight and got the win we wanted," he told beIN Sport.

"Sure, it could have been better. We made many opportunities. We have good feelings. It's already a good step to take the first leg."

Cavani's 78th-minute strike was just his second in the Champions League this season, and he was pleased to find the back of the net once again as he looks to help the club to glory in the competition.

"It's a fantastic night. We won, which is the most important thing. We really want to win this competition," the Uruguayan said.

"I am very happy. I think we forwards, we live thanks to goals. They give us the strength to keep working. So yes, this is important for the group and for me.

"This period has been difficult and I am trying to change things."

PERFECT BENFICA WILL GET JOB DONE IN RUSSIA - VITORIA

The hosts left it until the dying minutes of the first-leg of their Champions League clash with Zenit and the coach is confident they will put on a good show in the return leg

Benfica coach Rui Vitoria was brimming with confidence after his team snatched a 1-0 Champions League win over Zenit at Estadio da Luz.

Vitoria's men looked set for another frustrating evening in front of their home supporters in the first leg of the last-16 tie, following Friday's 2-1 defeat against bitter rivals Porto.

The game looked set to fade out to a goalless draw, but Zenit full-back Domenico Criscito was sent off for a second-bookable offence and, from the resulting free-kick, Benfica's top scorer Jonas headed home to spark delirious celebrations in stoppage time.

Vitoria felt it was a well-deserved triumph and he was bullish about his team's chances in St Petersburg – where Zenit won each of their group games to qualify for the knockout stages.

"We had the match almost always under control and, tactically, we were perfect," he told reporters.

"I think we deserved to score earlier. I am very happy with my players. We won because of our persistence and because of the way we worked.

"1-0 is always a good result in European competitions and I am almost 100 per cent sure that we will score in St Petersburg."

Teenage midfielder Renato kSanches did not share his coach's bombast, stating Benfica were lucky to snatch a tight contest while anticipating a tough ride in Russia two weeks.

"It was a very even game. We played against a very good team, and we were fortunate to score near the end," he said.

"I feel more confident after each game and I want to thank the fans for all the support they have been giving me.

"It will be a different game in Russia, even more with the cold that we will probably get there, which we are not used to."

VILLAS-BOAS: I DON'T WANT TO COACH IN ENGLAND AGAIN

The Portuguese coach will leave Zenit at the end of the season and while his next club is yet to be determined, he has ruled out the prospect of a Premier League return

Andre Villas-Boas has distanced himself from a possible return to the Premier League as he nears the end of his time at Zenit.

The Portuguese coach enjoyed great success at Porto, but his spells at Chelsea and Tottenham were not as prosperous, leading him to take over in the Russian top flight.

Villas-Boas has been in charge of Zenit for almost two years and will leave when his contract expires at the end of the season.

And while he is not sure where he will end up next, he insists he has no interest in a return to England.

"I think my time has been done there," he told BT Sport. "It didn't go as well as I had expected, apart from the first year at Tottenham, so I will look forward to trying other leagues.

"I don't know where I'll go, hopefully something good."

The 38-year-old returned to his homeland on Tuesday, with his side facing Benfica in the first-leg of their Champions League last-16 tie, though a late goal from Jonas saw the hosts take the advantage with a 1-0 win.

It was Zenit's first competitive game in 10 weeks following the Russian Premier League's mid-season break, but Villas-Boas does not feel his side suffered as a result of their extended holiday.

"I think there was no special role played by the extended break," he added. "Tactically and physically we feel good and we almost got a goalless draw.

"Yes, Benfica score at the end but the question of who will go further remains open. One goal gives only the most minimal advantage.

"Before the return leg we will play two more matches in the Russian tournament. It will help to gain the necessary rhythm and the Petrovsky Stadium will not be an easy place for our opponents."

RUMOURS: MAN UTD READY TO EMULATE CITY IN TRANSFER RESHUFFLE

After spending huge sums of money with little success in recent years, the Red Devils' owners are keen to adopt a new model with key figures like their rivals' Spanish experts

Manchester United are ready to make sweeping changes to their transfer and staffing policy in an attempt to emulate Manchester City's success, according to The Sun.

The Red Devils have spent upwards of £320 million on transfers since Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement in 2013, but are on course for their worst-ever top-flight finish since 1991.

Now the Glazer family are reportedly having executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward look into restructuring things behind the scenes, with key figures like City's Txiki Begiristain and Ferran Soriano working closely with the team's manager to identify new players.

RUMOURS: GUARDIOLA BANNED FROM SIGNING BAYERN PLAYERS FOR MAN CITY

The Spaniard has verbally agreed he will not try to bring any of the German side's stars to the Premier League with him when he replaces Manuel Pellegrini at the Etihad Stadium

Bayern Munich have banned Pep Guardiola from signing any of their players when he joins Manchester City, according to the Daily Star .

The Spaniard will replace Manuel Pellegrini at the Etihad Stadium in the summer but has verbally agreed with Bayern that he will not try to bring any of their stars to the Premier League.

Guardiola is a huge admirer of Robert Lewandowski and is reportedly keen to bring in a strike partner for Sergio Aguero, but will have to look elsewhere.

BOATENG EYES APRIL RETURN FOR BAYERN

The Germany international says he is trying to remain patient as he recovers from an adductor injury and is backing his side to beat Juventus in their Champions League last-16 tie

Bayern Munich defender Jerome Boateng is targeting an April return from his groin injury and says he remains hopeful he will feature at the summer's European Championship.

The 27-year-old was ruled out for three months after sustaining an adductor injury in Bayern's 2-1 win over Hamburg in January.

The Germany international has been restricted to 56 minutes of action since the mid-season break for Pep Guardiola's side but is hopeful of playing a part in the season run-in, while proving his fitness ahead of Germany's Euro 2016 campaign.

"My goal is to attempt to get back to training in April," Boateng told the club's official website. "It looks quite good so far but I won't set a date and put myself under pressure."

Boateng featured in all but one of Bayern's matches this season before his injury and concedes his enforced time on the sidelines has been frustrating.

"It's my first big injury. It's difficult, because I can't do what I love," he said.

"First I want to stand on the pitch for Bayern this season. Of course I want to go to the Euro, but the most important thing is to stay patient."

Boateng will hope to see his Bayern team-mates negotiate a Champions League showdown against last season's beaten finalists Juventus – a tie he expects to be keenly contested.

"Juventus are a good team," he added. "We have some injuries, Juve as well.

"We are strong enough to go to the quarter-finals. It will be two difficult games. We have to reach our top level."

"After some problems at the beginning of the season Juventus are in a brilliant form, they play nice football.

"They did last season and they do this time as well. We have to pay attention, but first we have to look at ourselves - even if we know Juve's qualities."

RUMOURS: ARSENAL TO MAKE CARRICK MOVE

The 34-year-old midfielder is out of contract at Manchester United in the summer and reports suggest that Arsene Wenger is ready to sign the England international

Arsenal are ready to move for Michael Carrick should the midfielder leave
Manchester United in the summer, according to the Daily Mirror .

The England international's contract with Louis van Gaal's side expires in June, with the 34-year-old potentially being allowed to leave the club with the likes of Morgan Schneiderlin and Bastian Schweinsteiger having often been preferred in central midfield.

And that could see Arsene Wenger look to tempt the former Tottenham man to join the Gunners, with the Daily Mirror reporting that the north Londoners are ready to make a fourth attempt to lure him to the Emirates Stadium.

CAVANI GOAL IS 'MASSIVE' FOR PSG, ADMITS IVANOVIC

The defender concedes the Blues endured a "difficult game" against the Ligue 1 champions but praised his side for the courage they showed after going a goal down

Branislav Ivanovic says Edinson Cavani's winner was a "massive" goal for Paris Saint-Germain as Laurent Blanc's side ran out 2-1 winners in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 encounter on Tuesday.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic put PSG ahead with a deflected free-kick at the Parc des Princes but John Obi Mikel equalised in first-half stoppage time.

However, substitute Cavani grabbed the winner for Laurent Blanc's side 12 minutes time, beating Thibaut Courtois, who made a string of impressive saves earlier in the second half.

Nevertheless, Ivanovic - who played at centre-back as captain John Terry missed out with a hamstring injury - felt the Premier League champions proved their mettle and will fight to book a place in the quarter-finals in the return leg on March 9.

"It was a very difficult game, we tried to play our game and to score the away goal but in the end they scored a massive goal," Ivanovic told BT Sport .

"It was very difficult moment for our team because of a lot of things, but we came here with courage and we tried to score the goal.

"We had a couple of chances before they scored the second goal. We could have won the game and scored a second one.

"We lost a bit of concentration in the end and we were a little bit open, and the strikers like Paris have use every single chance.

"We have to be more careful with this kind of thing because these small details can decide a game.

"We kept fighting, it was difficult and we will try to do everything to win at home to go through."

Gary Cahill was pleased Chelsea had managed to secure an away goal, but was frustrated they could not hold on for a draw.

"Obviously we pushed for the goal tonight. We managed to get it but we're disappointed at the end, 1-1 here would've been a terrific result," he added.

"They're a fantastic team and that was very, very tough. We know how tough it is to come here, you see their record this season – not just in the league but in European competition, it's very tough here.

"It's tough when they have so many corners and final third entries. It's poised now, we know what we have to do."

Cristiano Ronaldo walks out of news conference amid away-form question

Cristiano Ronaldo walked out of a news conference on Tuesday after objecting to a question on his ability to score away from home.

Ronaldo's Real Madrid play at Roma on Wednesday in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 clash.

The Portuguese superstar answered a number of questions from the media -- including why he isn't friends with his teammates -- but he ended it abruptly when he was asked why he hasn't scored a goal away from the Estadio Bernabeu since November.

"Since I've been in Spain, tell me one player who has scored more goals than me away from home," Ronaldo said. "Just tell me one. You don't have one."

He then shrugged and grabbed his jacket. When the reporter continued speaking, Ronaldo ignored him, said "Bye everyone, thank you," and left the room.

This season, Ronaldo has scored 21 goals at home and 11 away. He has only played in four games away from home since his last away goal against Eibar on Nov. 29, compared to eight at home.

"It's understandable that people have doubts," Ronaldo said earlier in the news conference. "It's like with a son when you give him everything and then when you take it away, he cries. I hope I can keep this 'bad form' up until the season's end."

Ronaldo had also appeared annoyed at another question that may have been related to his statistics.

When asked about Lionel Messi's decision during a penalty to pass the ball for Luis Suarez to score on Sunday, Ronaldo replied: "Messi's penalty? I know why he did it, but I don't have more to add."

He may have been alluding to La Liga's scoring charts, where Suarez now leads Ronaldo by two goals, while playing in two fewer games.