Does João Pedro play today? Chelsea vs PSG in the UEFA Champions League

The striker The 24-year-old Brazilian, an absolute starter since his arrival at the club in July 2025 for £60 million from Brighton, scored a decisive goal in the 3-0 victory over PSG in the final of the Mundial of Princes, and seeks to secure a place in the quarterfinals.

João Pedro participated in the pre-game press conference alongside coach Liam Rosenior and reinforced the group’s confidence in the possibility of reversing the aggregate score. Ele recalled the strong performance at home and the recent victory against the French as reasons to believe in the reaction. The striker has already accumulated three goals in the current edition of Champions League and is positioning himself as an offensive reference amid the squad’s absences.

The confrontation revives the rivalry between the teams, marked by the humiliation suffered by PSG in Mundial of Clubes. João Pedro, who arrived at Chelsea less than a year ago, adapted quickly and became the most in-form player in the attack, with precise finishing and intelligent positioning inside the box.

• Chelsea needs to score at least three goals without conceding to take the decision to extra time.
• João Pedro scored in the first leg, but saw the team concede three goals in the final minutes.
• PSG explores counterattacks with Dembélé, Barcola and Kvaratskhelia.

Where to watch live

The broadcast takes place live on TNT on closed TV and on HBO Max on streaming. Fans follow the main moments of the match with real-time narration and analysis on these platforms.

Probable lineup of Chelsea with focus on João Pedro

Chelsea must enter with Jörgensen in goal, a defense composed of Gusto, Fofana, Chalobah and Cucurella. In the middle, Caicedo and Enzo Fernández organize the plays, while Palmer, Fernández and Neto support João Pedro in attack. The Brazilian acts as a center forward, responsible for finishing and constant movement to open spaces.

João Pedro started as a starter in the first leg, creating chances early on, including a header saved by the goalkeeper. Sua constant presence in the attack represents the main weapon to put pressure on the French defense from the opening whistle. Ausências like Reece James (out), Levi Colwill (out) and Mykhaylo Mudryk (suspended) increase the dependence on his performance.

PSG’s probable lineup

PSG lines up Safonov in goal, with Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho and Nuno Mendes in the defensive line. The midfield has Vitinha, Zaïre-Emery and João Neves. In the offensive sector, Dembélé, Barcola and Kvaratskhelia command the actions. Luis Enrique bets on defensive solidity and quick exits to exploit opponent mistakes.

The French team maintains confidence after the impressive result in the first match. Jogadores like Kvaratskhelia, who scored twice in the first leg, remain the main threats.

Last five games for each team

Chelsea has had alternating results recently. Venceu beat Pafos 1-0, beat Napoli 3-2, lost 5-2 to PSG in the first leg, drew 2-2 with Bournemouth and was defeated 1-2 by Aston Villa. João Pedro actively participated in the matches, with constant offensive contributions.

PSG shows greater regularity. Venceu o Chelsea 5-2 in the first leg, lost 1-3 to

Confrontation history

The clubs have faced each other in recent decisive moments. Chelsea took advantage in Mundial from Clubes in 2025 with a score of 3-0, goal from João Pedro included. The current aggregate favors PSG 5-2 after the first leg.

Duels tend to have a lot of goals, with a high average in recent seasons. João Pedro’s motivation to repeat decisive performances against the same opponent adds expectation to the game.

Fun facts and game details

João Pedro scored a goal in the Mundial of Clubes final against PSG, sealing the 3-0 victory with a shot over the goalkeeper. In his first season at Chelsea, he stands out for his ability to be in the right place at the right time, with three goals at Champions League in just a few matches.

Stamford Bridge expects maximum capacity, with tickets sold out. The weather forecast in Londres indicates mild temperatures and the possibility of light rain, which could influence ball control. Experienced refereeing ensures firm conduct of the match.

Arbitration and expectations

The refereeing team brings together professionals accustomed to high-level clashes. Chelsea bets on maximum intensity from the beginning to reduce the aggregate, with João Pedro as the main offensive reference.

PSG prioritizes result management and lethal counterattacks. The possible decisive contribution of João Pedro could change the course of the duel in search of the unlikely classification.