Thibaut Courtois saved Chelsea from defeat- David Luis

Tomiwa Babalola

Brazil defender, David Luiz has insisted that Paris Saint-Germain would have beaten Chelsea on Tuesday but for the stellar performance of Thibaut Courtois.

The French giant were held to a 1-1 draw at the Parc des Princes in the first leg of their champions league round of 16 in France.

The Belgian shot-stopper pulled off a couple of key saves for the Blues, the most crucial of which arguably came in second-half stoppage-time when he prevented a powerful Zlatan Ibrahimovic header from putting Laurent Blanc's men ahead.

With the situation, the Mourinho-led side have an edge over over the French side as they head into the second leg with an away-goal after Branislav Ivanovic's opener was cancelled out in the second half by Edinson Cavani.

PSG's David Luiz, who left Stamford Bridge for the Ligue 1 champions in a €50 million move last year, does not think Jose Mourinho's men would have held on at 1-1 without Courtois coming to their rescue.

"If it were not for the goalkeeper, we would have won easily,” the Brazilian, who played in an unorthodox midfield position against his former club, told Canal Plus. "Courtois was fantastic.

"We played well, although they had an opportunity and they scored from it. We should have won but I think we can still qualify for the quarter-finals. We can win there.

"We have a good team, a good coach and the right plan will be put in place to get a result. It will be a great return leg at Stamford Bridge."

PSG's trip to Chelsea takes place on Wednesday March 11. Blanc's men were knocked out of the tournament last season by the Blues on away goals. Goal