Chelsea started brightly in Switzerland, with Benitez’s decision to rest Mata and Oscar in favour of Mikel and Moses justified inside the first twelve minutes. Lampard’s corner eluded the head of Ivanovic, but it reached Moses, who awkwardly “nosed” it into the net to secure a first-half lead for the Blues.
However, they paid for their wastefulness in front of goal in the first half as the referee controversially awarded a spot-kick for the home side with just minutes left on the clock. The match official deemed Azpilicueta to have bundled over Stocker and Schar stepped up to send Cech the wrong away.
However, there was still time for late drama to unfold and Luiz found the back of the net with the last kick of the game. Operating in a midfield role, the Brazilian lined up a free-kick from 25 yards out in the fourth minute of added time, which somehow beat the hands of goalkeeper Somner to send the Chelsea fans into ecstasy.
Chelsea have already crashed out of six competitions this term and the Europa League represents their only chance of a trophy remaining. After winning the Champions League last season, the Europa League would feel like a bit of a consolation prize, but they are desperate to get their hands on continental glory.
According to Dailymail, match-winner Luiz is eager to win another European trophy and has set his sights set on reaching the final. He said, “I want to go to the final so we need to win the second leg or draw. It is not finished, we need to play the second leg. It is so important for us to win one more title for my career and for Chelsea as well, so I just want to win this competition. But we need to win two more games.”
However, he has acknowledged there is still plenty to play for in the tie and urged his side to keep the focus ahead of the return leg next week. He said, “It’s important that we can score two goals here because they are a very good team.”
“So with the last kick, to score the second goal was amazing for us. But we have the second leg. You need to keep the mind strong because there is one more difficult game for us. A draw 1-1 is a good result but 2-1 is better and me and the team are so happy with this.”
Chelsea are also embroiled in a three-way battle to secure a top four and Champions League spot with fellow London rivals Spurs and Arsenal, and manager Benitez would be considered a success if he can deliver the Europa League trophy coupled with the Champions League football next season. Chelsea face Swansea today hoping to gain revenge for the South Wales team knocking them out of the Capital One Cup which of course Laudrup and the Swans went on to win.