Europa League
Chelsea’s Final Request
Strike while the iron is hot. Coming off a big weekend, Chelsea saw their Champions League play for next year solidified. The next step in closing out a rocky campaign is making it to the Europa League final. The blues entered today with a 1-1 aggregate securing that all important away goal. Losing N’Golo Kanté this past weekend was a major blow, but it allows the likes of Ruben Loftus-Cheek to show his talents. A win today would put Chelsea in place to finish off the season with some silverware.
Battle Til The End
Opportunity is something that Loftus-Cheek has taken advantage of this entire season. Finding himself always on the outside looking in, he has made his chances count when they’ve come. Today was no different for the young Brit. In the 28th minute, he would find himself behind the defense and score a surgical goal giving the home side a leg up on the aggregate. Unfortunately, Chelsea’s season long theme of not completing games would bite them early in the second half. Luka Jovic would benefit from David Luiz sloppy play and score an equalizer. Tis the season for dramatics, so this game couldn’t end in regulation or extra time. The Blues hopes looked dim when the captain César Azpilicueta missed his penalty. Kepa Arrizabalaga ‘s heroics would shine today and show why Chelsea spent so much money on him. The young Spaniard would save the final two attempts and send the Blues to the final.
The Future Is Bright
Fortune favors the prepared. Chelsea have enjoyed a run of good fortune as of late. Today was another notch on that belt. With Arsenal winning today, it will be an all England final for the Europa League title. Withstanding the pressure Frankfurt brought today is something that Maurizio Sarri and his team can hang their heads on. Kepa and Loftus-Cheek showed the Stamford Bridge hopefuls that the future is bright for the young stars. If today was his last game at Stamford Bridge, Eden Hazard was able to walk off the field by scoring the winning penalty kick. Chelsea will travel to Leicester City this weekend to close out the season.
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Written by Aaron Saunders
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Photo credit to Chelsea via Twitter
