By David Lee Wheatley
Blues aim for another European trophy
Chelsea meet Benfica in Amsterdam this evening determined to win a major European competition for the second year on the trot.
Granted, it's not on a level with the Champions League trophy they captured last May, but it would still represent a decent campaign for the Stamford Bridge outfit after the initial furore surrounding the arrival of Rafa Benitez in November.
Having beaten their Portuguese rivals in the quarter-finals of the Champions League last season under the tutelage of Roberto Di Matteo, Chelsea will feel confident of a repeat in the Amsterdam ArenA tonight.
Benitez has injury concerns, though, with John Terry and John Obi Mikel both doubts. Eden Hazard, meanwhile, has flourished in recent weeks but misses out due to a pulled hamstring suffered last Saturday in the win over Villa. The west Londoners still have a plethora of talent to choose from and will see the challenge of Benfica as no more difficult than many of their recent tests in the Premier League.
As for Benfica, they miss suspended right-back Maxi Pereira, but are expected to be at full strength otherwise.
The Eagles lost 2-1 away to FC Porto in the penultimate game of the Portuguese Liga, their first defeat of the league campaign. It was a painful result to take, as Porto leapfrogged Benfica into top spot while ending their unbeaten run with a comeback victory. It may play on the minds of the Benfica players and take away their edge somewhat in the final this evening.
Chelsea have been in good form recently, culminating in their guaranteed top-four status in the Premier League and qualification for next season's Champions League. They go into the final as slight favourites and the players will surely be disappointed should they come away with runners-up medals around their necks at the end of the contest.
Twitter: @davewh1980
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