Rafael Benitez is keen for Chelsea to grasp the importance of playing in the Europa League, and not be put off by its second-tier status.
------------------------------------------------------------
Predict result and win big with Soccer6
------------------------------------------------------------
Having become the first UEFA Champions League holders to be eliminated in the group stages the following season, the Blues' silverware prospects look bleak this term.
With barely an outside chance of challenging for the Premier League crown, the west Londoners have to look to the Europa League and the FA Cup for glory.
Benitez's men resume continental action on Thursday night with a last-32, first-leg trip to Prague, before their FA Cup fourth-round replay with Brentford.
"We will need some time to talk," said Benitez, who replaced Roberto Di Matteo in November following the club's Champions League exit.
"In terms of flights and games it's like the Champions League, in terms of mentality, the first thought is 'hmm, it's different'. But if you see the teams that are in the Europa League, you will see it could be quite difficult.
"The day before we will fly, we will be there, they will realise it's Europe and they can concentrate 100 percent. I'm expecting that they will be focused. We will have to start thinking of it as a great competition, with good teams and we will try to do our best."
Should Chelsea advance to the last-16 of the Europa League and beyond, it will require them playing matches on Thursday with not much of a turnaround for their top-flight and domestic cup commitments.
Benitez, though, isn't too fazed by the prospect, saying: "Two games a week we can manage, if we have enough bodies.
"Normally when you want to improve your team tactically, you push them. But in this situation you can't because if you push them too much they will be tired. The balance is quite difficult.
"The day after a game you have a light training session. The second day is before the game, so you have a light training session. Then you have to play.
"That means when you try to do your tactical adjustments, your preparation, you cannot do too much."
Post A Comment!
Be the first to post a comment on this story