Champions League: PSG request fixture postponement ahead of Chelsea last-16 showdown | OneFootball

Nantes have already agreed to the fixture request

Paris Saint-Germain have made a formal request for their Ligue 1 fixture against Nantes to be postponed before facing Chelsea in the Champions League last-16.

The holders could have drawn Barcelona which would have led to a quarter-final tie against either Atletico Madrid or Tottenham.

Instead they will take on Chelsea in a repeat of last summer’s Club World Cup final when they were beaten 3-0 and manager Luis Enrique appeared to strike Joao Pedro as tempers boiled over after the final whistle.

PSG will host the first-leg at the Parc des Princes on Wednesday, March 11 before travelling to Stamford Bridge for the decider six days later.

In between those two games, however, the French giants may not be in action after requesting for their home game against Nantes - originally scheduled for Sunday, March 15 - to be postponed.

A statement from the Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP) reads: “Regarding the Ligue 1 game between PSG and Nantes, PSG have referred to the LFP’s board – with Nantes’ agreement – for this game to be postponed to the penultimate week of April ‘in order to prepare in the best possible conditions for their two-legged tie with Chelsea in the Champions League.’”

Should this request be granted then PSG will have a huge advantage going into the second leg as Chelsea will be in action against Newcastle at home while the likes of Desire Doue, Nuno Mendes and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia are resting.

Discussing being drawn against Chelsea, Enrique has played down suggestions of wanting revenge for the Club World Cup final defeat.

He said: "As always, I'm very happy with our draw. It will be fascinating to play against Chelsea, one of the best teams in England.

“We know them well, but there won't be any feeling of revenge because this is a different competition."