Cesar Azpilicueta urges Chelsea to 'finish the job' and reach Europa League final
Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta has urged his team-mates to finish the job and advance to the Europa League final after Thursday’s semi-final first leg draw with Eintracht Frankfurt.
Pedro’s away goal in a 1-1 draw means the Blues have one foot in a sixth European final ahead of next week’s second leg. Arsenal could await in the Baku showpiece after the Gunners beat Valencia 3-1 in the other last four tie.
“We scored an away goal, that’s always important, but today was only the first step to get a good result,” Azpilicueta told BT Sport.
READ: Chelsea frustrated in Frankfurt as Eintracht hold on for 1-1 draw
“Everything is going to be decided at Stamford Bridge next Thursday. We know we have to win the game because they are a dangerous team, they play with a lot of intensity.
“It’s the last step of the job we started in September, we have to finish it all together on Thursday and hopefully we can bring our fans to Baku.”
Maurizio Sarri’s team started slowly in Germany and fell behind to Luka Jovic’s first-half header. Pedro equalised before the interval - and Chelsea dominated the second half - but the visitors were unable to find the winning goal their dominance deserved.
Chelsea controlled possession for large parts of the second period, thanks in no small part to a strong showing from England midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek.
The 23-year-old was Chelsea’s standout performer on the night - and should have got himself on the scoresheet - although he was quick to praise the contribution of deep-lying playmaker Jorginho.
“Jorginho was really good in the second half, dictating the play,” Loftus-Cheek said of the Italian. “When he sucks players in, that gives me and N’Golo (Kante) space to turn and run at the defence or get a pass off. So it really helped in the second half.”
Jorginho is very important in the way we play,” added Azpilicueta. “We need him to be in control of the game, to touch the ball, to pass forward.
“As soon as we found him with more space, we were able to find spaces with Ruben, we knew we could create chances when they gave us spaces.”
Chelsea play Watford in the Premier League on Sunday before Frankfurt arrive for the return leg on Thursday.
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