Maurizio Sarri is convinced Chelsea can get back into the Champions League – either as Europa League winners or via a top-four finish in the Premier League.
Chelsea are a heavy 1/5 favourite to advance past Dynamo Kyiv in the round of 16 according to betting sites reviewed here.
We should see a motivated Blues side put the boots to a Ukrainian club that’s 0-3-11 all-time in England. Coming of a loss in the EFL Cup final, already bounced from the FA Cup, and sitting sixth in the Premier League, the Blues pretty much need a Europa title to salvage a lost season. As concerning as some of their away performances have been lately, Kyiv are a young team that will be missing important players due to injury (Fran Sol, Artem Biesiedin) and suspension (Benjamin Verbic).
The winners of the trophy will be in next season’s Champions League, but head coach Sarri believes his rejuvenated side can also make the cut in their domestic league.
Speaking at a press conference, Sarri said: “I think we can gain a spot in the Champions League (via) the Premier League.
“We are fighting and we are only two points away at the moment and have to play one match more.
“But the Europa League is a very important competition – it’s the second competition in Europe and a very important trophy.
“Then there is a spot for the next Champions League, so it’s a very important target for us.”
Sarri will rest players for tonight’s match, with his side having played three gruelling games of late.
“We are lucky we have no injuries. Of course we have some players who are very tired because the last week was really very hard for us,” he said.
“We need to consider the situation and I think we need to rest some players.”