Mata Gunning For European Glory

Mata Gunning For European Glory

The Europe League represents the only chance of a trophy for the Blues’ this season, having failed to win any of the seven competitions they were involved in at the start of the season, but have a chance to make amends by winning Europe’s second-tier competition.

Rafa Benitez was appointed as interim manager back in November last year, when Di Matteo’s was relieved of his duties due to his inability to lead Chelsea into the knock-out stages of the Champions League, with the Blues subsequently relegated to the Europa League.

The Spaniard has already achieved one of his primary objectives this season, with the Blues 2-1 win at Villa Park guaranteeing them Champions League football for next season. His other objective has been to win a cup, and the London club have done well to reach the final of the Europa League, and are considered favourites to lift the trophy on May 15.

Chelsea can achieve back-to-back European titles, and become the first team to win the Champions League and then the Europa League in successive seasons, after a dramatic and triumphant penalty shoot-out against Bayern Munich in last year’s Champions League final.

However, club captain John Terry and creative midfielder Eden Hazard are likely to sit out the final after both players went off injured in the win against Aston Villa at the weekend. Terry was expected to sit out the final, but the loss of Hazard in particular would be a major blow to Chelsea’s chances of lifting the cup.

However, Mata is keen to finish the season with silverware and according to Sky Sports, believes it would be a fine achievement to claim the Europa League. He said, “We have now the chance to win two European trophies in a row, which is not easy for any club and we will try to do it.”

He added, “It would be very, very nice. After winning the Champions League and FA Cup [last season], it would be really nice and I would be really pleased to win another trophy with Chelsea. It’s been a long season in terms of the amount of games, but I think it’s good. I’m really happy with the season personally, but it’s not finished yet. It can be even better, if we win the title.”