UEFA Europa League

[Lukin]

Sparta aiming to frustrate Chelsea

'Sparta Prague goalkeeper Tomas Vaclik believes his side can frustrate Chelsea and extend its unbeaten European home record to 12 matches on Thursday evening (Friday morning AEDT).

Sparta hosts Chelsea, last season's UEFA Champions League winner, in the first leg of the UEFA Europa League last-32 in its first competitive fixture since 6 December.

The host is confident though, having last lost at its Letna Stadium home against MSK Zilina in the 2010-2011 Europa League play-offs, while Chelsea has one win in five matches.

"I believe we will add one more match to that run and travel to London with a result that keeps our chances alive," Vaclik told The official website for European football ? UEFA.com

"To succeed, we'll have to play our best football. Even if Chelsea are not having their best period right now, they have the winning mentality of a big club and self-confidence."'


Looking forward to this match

 

[Lukin]

Rafael Benitez says Chelsea must not underestimate Sparta Prague on Thursday

'The Londoners travel to the Czech Republic on Wednesday for their first European match since being knocked out of the Champions League.

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"But if you see the teams that are in the Europa League, you will see it could be quite difficult.

"They must realise it's Europe and concentrate 100%. I'm expecting that they will be focused.

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As for playing Thursday and Sunday while in the Europa League, Benitez added: "Two games a week we can manage, if we have enough bodies.

"In this situation you can't push them too much because they will be tired. The balance is quite difficult."'

This is gonna be quite a nadseni ride, along with maybe local pilsner beers to sparkle up the sport spirit mood