Paris Saint-Germain coach Laurent Blanc has praised David Luiz's contribution to their Champions League draw with the Brazilian's former side Chelsea.
With both Thiago Motta and Yohan Cabaye missing through injury, Luiz was pushed up from central defence to a holding midfield role in front of the PSG back four to face the Premier League leaders in Tuesday's last-16 first leg.
Though the former Benfica man allowed Branislav Ivanovic to escape his marking to score Chelsea's goal in the 1-1 draw, Blanc was impressed with Luiz's all-round performance.
Blanc said: "He contributed what he should have: thoroughness, aggression. We wanted to establish our philosophy of keeping the ball, but we needed to break up Chelsea's counter-attacks forcefully. He had a very good game."
While Luiz, 27, played his part at the back, Edinson Cavani struck at the opposite end to equalise shortly after the restart in a second 45 minutes dominated by the hosts.
But for Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, Blanc's men would likely have emerged with a morale-boosting victory to take to Stamford Bridge for the second leg on March 11.
Former PSG and Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier told RMC he feels that if the French champions can reproduce their first-leg display in West London, they could emerge with a famous triumph.
Houllier said: "It was a good game. PSG produced a very good second half, which is encouraging for the return leg. They have to forget they're at Stamford Bridge, and play with exactly the same intensity and rhythm.
"When they attacked, they really caused Chelsea problems. It's regretful they had chances they didn't put away. That's also down to Courtois, because he was excellent. That proves that PSG deserved a better result. Even if they are currently going out, they can still qualify in London."
Following a 3-1 win in the first leg of last season's quarterfinal tie with Jose Mourinho's men, a timid PSG were beaten 2-0 in the return, succumbing on away goals following a late strike from Demba Ba.
Luis Fernandez, who guided PSG to Cup Winners' Cup glory in 1996, told RMC Blanc's men must be audacious in the second leg if they are to avenge that defeat.
"They have to give their all, attack them, perhaps play higher up the pitch to get the ball back as high as possible. I still believe they can do it, because they played well in the first half. They went behind against the run of play."