Chelsea primed for semis, says Benitez Chelsea manager Rafa Benitez is confident of making the Europa League semi-finals after a 3-1 first-leg win over Rubin Kazan.
Chelsea coasted to victory thanks to a Fernando Torres double and a clinical strike from Victor Moses, although the Russian side registered an away goal through a Bibras Natcho penalty on the stroke of half-time.
And despite admitting his unhappiness with the spot kick, the Spaniard was satisfied with the outcome and expects his side to score in the second leg.
"Obviously they have to score two goals and can go through if we do not score but we are confident that we can," B
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Category: News Views: 775 Added: SkyDate: 05.04.2013 - 12:41
Europa League: Tottenham - Basel Preview
Andre Villas-Boas' side face the Swiss league leaders in the first-leg of their quarter-final White Hart Lane
With the exception of goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, Tottenham have a fully-fit squad at their disposal for the Europa League quarter-final first-leg clash with FC Basel at White Hart Lane.
The France international is still recovering from a knee injury he picked up on international duty last week, with Brad Friedel set to continue between the posts for Andre Villas-Boas' side.
Both Michael Dawson and Aaron Lennon returned from injury fo
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Category: News Views: 1112 Added: SkyDate: 04.04.2013 - 07:19
Europa League: Fenerbahce - Lazio Preview
Team news for Thursday's Europa League quarter-final first-leg between Fenerbahce and Lazio at the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium (kick-off 8.05pm).
Fenerbahce coach Aykut Kocaman believes Lazio are "one step ahead" in the race to lift this season's Europa League trophy.
The Turkish giants are looking to reach the last four of a UEFA competition for the first time by ousting Lazio at the quarter-final stage.
Vladimir Petkovic's Biancocelesti, however, are the only side yet to lose a game in this season's Europa League and are al
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Category: News Views: 997 Added: SkyDate: 04.04.2013 - 07:15
Europa League: Chelsea - Rubin Kazan Preview
Rafa Benitez's side face the Russian outfit at Stamford Bridge in the first-leg of their Europa League quarter-final in amongst a heavily congested fixture schedule
Rafa Benitez is set to make a number of changes to the side which knocked Manchester United out of the FA Cup on Monday.
Defender Ashley Cole (hamstring) was forced off in the first half of that match and will be out for at least two weeks, so Ryan Bertrand is set to replace him again. Gary Cahill (knee) is a doubt so John Terry is likely to return in defence alongside Luiz.
Fernando Torres should return in attack with Demba Ba cup-tied in the Europa League. The attacking trio
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Category: News Views: 1028 Added: SkyDate: 04.04.2013 - 07:11
Europa League: Benfica - Newcastle United Jorge Jesus' side are warm favourites for victory on Thursday and Willie Duncan believes that the Eagles can keep a clean sheet in the sides' Europa League tie
Papiss Cisse scored a dramatic 94th-minute winner against Anzhi Makhachkala last month to book Newcastle United’s place in the last eight of the Europa League but Alan Pardew’s men know that they will face a stern test when they travel to Lisbon to face Portuguese league leaders Benfica on Thursday night.
Jorge Jesus’ side warmed up for their meeting with Newcastle by thumping Rio Ave 6-1 on Saturday and the free-scoring Eagles are rated as a 1/2 (1.50) chance with William Hill to get the better of the Magpies on Thursday.
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Category: News Views: 892 Added: SkyDate: 04.04.2013 - 07:07
Mourinho singles out Real defence Jose Mourinho has praised Real Madrid's defence after they cruised to a 3-0 win over Galatasaray on Wednesday.
Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Gonzalo Higuain scored in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final to put Real in complete control going into the second leg in Istanbul, but Mourinho reserved praise for his team's defensive efforts.
"I think we defended better than we attacked," he told Sky Sports after the match.
"In attacking terms, we lost the last ball, the last pass. We had easy transitions, three against three, three against four, so we could have scored more goal
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Category: News Views: 970 Added: SkyDate: 04.04.2013 - 03:29
Stramaccioni wants Inter to build on win Andrea Stramaccioni wants Inter to maintain their consistency and build on their 2-0 win over Sampdoria.
Rodrigo Palacio scored twice at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris on Wednesday as they moved within seven points of their city rivals AC Milan.
And although the Inter boss praised his side's performance, he said the team must now follow up the display with similar results.
"It was important to win today and the lads knew that," he told Football Italia.
"After Tottenham and Juventus, where we made steps forward in terms of perform
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Category: News Views: 946 Added: SkyDate: 04.04.2013 - 03:27
