From last season’s high-flying end to the season, to this year’s demotion to the Europa League, it has been a roller coaster ride for the Blues. But can they possibly revive their season by winning the Europa League crown this season?
Roberto Di Matteo was being seen by many as the new “special one” when Chelsea, finally won its first Champions League title last season. The Russian owner’s love for the top honour in Europe is unknown to none, and we watched as he axed one manager after another in the pursuit of his most favourite prize.
For many, it also seemed as if that Champions League title would put Chelsea in a dominant and dictating position in European football.
However, less than a year later, we see a Chelsea side that failed to qualify for even the round of 16, that has virtually no chance of winning this season’s Premiership, and that is being led by manager who is not very popular among the club’s fans.
To say that Rafa didn’t have the opportunity to deliver would be unfair. A Club Worldcup victory could have proven to be exactly the thing he needed to boost his reputation. But alas! Chelsea lost the final 1- 0 to Brazilian side Corinthians doing no favours to the already squeaky reputation of the Spanish manager.
With just a couple of months left before the end of the season, a Europa League title will be the focal point of Rafa’s concentration right now. Apart from making sure that Chelsea stays in the top four, Rafa will be highly eager to bring home the Europa League, as a polite reply to all the harsh criticism that has been thrown at him during his interim stay at the club. Somehow, one is forced to feel that the Europa title is far more important for Rafa Benitez than it is for Chelsea FC.
The second hurdle in the knockout rounds for Rafa and Chelsea, will be the Romanian side Steaua Bucharest. The resilient Romanians toppled over Dutch giants Ajax 4 -2 in a penalty shootout to set-up their round of 16 match against the Londoners.
With this win, Bucharest has shown the world that it knows how to win, and by defeating one of Europe’s top teams, they have announced themselves as one of the contenders for the crown. Chelsea should make sure they’re well prepared for the task that lies ahead, and unite under a manager who, although not everyone’s favorite, does know how to deliver the goods.
The football world still continues to wonder the mystical spell he used in that Champions League final in which Liverpool managed to cancel out a three goal first-half deficit, going on to win the trophy on penalty shootouts against AC Milan.
Rafa knows how to win, and for the time being he is the man that Chelsea fans need to trust the most if they are to get anything out of this season.
For many, it also seemed as if that Champions League title would put Chelsea in a dominant and dictating position in European football.
However, less than a year later, we see a Chelsea side that failed to qualify for even the round of 16, that has virtually no chance of winning this season’s Premiership, and that is being led by manager who is not very popular among the club’s fans.
To say that Rafa didn’t have the opportunity to deliver would be unfair. A Club Worldcup victory could have proven to be exactly the thing he needed to boost his reputation. But alas! Chelsea lost the final 1- 0 to Brazilian side Corinthians doing no favours to the already squeaky reputation of the Spanish manager.
With just a couple of months left before the end of the season, a Europa League title will be the focal point of Rafa’s concentration right now. Apart from making sure that Chelsea stays in the top four, Rafa will be highly eager to bring home the Europa League, as a polite reply to all the harsh criticism that has been thrown at him during his interim stay at the club. Somehow, one is forced to feel that the Europa title is far more important for Rafa Benitez than it is for Chelsea FC.
The second hurdle in the knockout rounds for Rafa and Chelsea, will be the Romanian side Steaua Bucharest. The resilient Romanians toppled over Dutch giants Ajax 4 -2 in a penalty shootout to set-up their round of 16 match against the Londoners.
With this win, Bucharest has shown the world that it knows how to win, and by defeating one of Europe’s top teams, they have announced themselves as one of the contenders for the crown. Chelsea should make sure they’re well prepared for the task that lies ahead, and unite under a manager who, although not everyone’s favorite, does know how to deliver the goods.
The football world still continues to wonder the mystical spell he used in that Champions League final in which Liverpool managed to cancel out a three goal first-half deficit, going on to win the trophy on penalty shootouts against AC Milan.
Rafa knows how to win, and for the time being he is the man that Chelsea fans need to trust the most if they are to get anything out of this season.
