Chelsea 4 Slavia Prague 3 (Agg 5-3): Blues into Europa League semi-finals after Stamford Bridge thriller

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Vaishali Bhardwaj18 April 2019

Pedro scored twice and created another to fire Chelsea into the Europa League semi-finals following a thrilling 4-3 (5-3 aggregate) win over Slavia Prague on Thursday night.

The Spaniard saw his delightful chipped effort open the scoring in just the fifth minute before he struck the post but saw the ball rebound off Simon Deli's face and into the net five minutes later.

Olivier Giroud then netted his 10th Europa League goal of the season from Pedro's pass before Slavia Prague captain Tomas Soucek handed the visitors hope with a fierce effort from a corner kick.

Despite Pedro's 27th-minute goal seemingly taking the game out of reach for Slavia Prague, Petr Sevcik's stunning second-half brace highlighted once again the startling difference in performances for Chelsea in the first and second halves of many matches this season.

However, Maurizio Sarri's side survived a second-half scare to progress to the Europa League last four where they will face Eintracht Frankfurt.

Despite the fact that Chelsea came into the second-leg clash with Slavia Prague leading the tie 1-0, Sarri decided to field a strong side for fear of seeing the visitors, who created several chances and remained relatively organised in defence last week, stunning the Blues.

But any fears Sarri may have had about Slavia Prague beginning the game strongly were quashed within just five minutes when Pedro - back in the starting line-up along with four other changes to the side that lost 2-0 away to Liverpool on Sunday - opened the scoring.

Following some lovely collective build-up play by the Blues, Giroud played the key, one-touch pass into Pedro who chipped the ball over goalkeeper Ondrej Kolar.

Action Images via Reuters

It then took just four minutes for Chelsea to score another, this time Pedro's near-post effort from Eden Hazard's cross crashed off the post only to hit Simon Deli in the face and fly into the back of his own net.

The Spaniard was clearly enjoying his time on the pitch, but so too was Giroud - the Europa League's top scorer this season - who did not just create the opener but also played a role in Chelsea's second.

A goal was all that was missing from the striker's performance on Thursday night, and the 32-year-old got it in the 17th minute when he coolly drove in Pedro's cross from the right.

EPA

Chelsea were dominant in the first half of the contest, but the Blues didn't have it all their own way. Indeed, Kepa Arrizabalaga was forced to save Deli's header from a free-kick, which led to a corner kick from which Tomas Soucek scored from.

But if the visitors thought they had hauled themselves back into the tie, they suffered a sucker-punch just a minute later when Pedro netted to make it 4-1.

Perhaps Slavia Prague had watched replays of Chelsea's two recent away losses to Everton and Liverpool - in which the Blues had two differing first and second halves - because they emerged from the break in blistering fashion and were rewarded with two goals in the space of four minutes.

Getty Images

Sevcik was the goalscorer on both occasions, with two almost identical goals - the first, a long-range effort that Kepa will feel he should have saved at his near post and the second, a stunner that flew into the top corner of the left-hand side of the net.

Sarri sent on Jorginho and Willian in a bid to steady the ship, and that they did. There was one last nervy moment for Chelsea, however, when David Luiz gave away a free-kick in a dangerous position after handling the ball.

But Miroslav Sotch hit the wall as Chelsea nervously advanced to the semi-finals of a competition they are aiming to win because of how tight the top-four race has become in the Premier League.

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Chelsea XI: Arrizabalaga, Azpilicueta, Christensen, Luiz, Emerson Palmieri, Kante, Kovacic, Barkley, Pedro, Giroud, Hazard

Subs: Caballero, Jorginho, Higuain, Hudson-Odoi, Zappacosta, Willian, Cahill

Slavia Prague XI: Kolar, Kudela, Ngadeu Ngadjui, Deli, Boril, Kral, Soucek, Sevcik, Traore, Zmrhal, Masopust

Subs: Kovar, Olayinka, Zeleny, van Buren, Stoch, Skoda, Frydrych

Referee: Damir Skomina (Slovenia)

11 April 2019

Who are Slavia Prague? All you need to know about Chelsea's opponents...

Photo: AFP 

++ Formed in 1892, Slavia are the second most successful club since Czech Republic formed in 1993 with 18 league titles. They reached the Champions League group stages in 2007-08, and faced Tottenham after dropping down to the Uefa Cup.

++ Given the sheer size of Chelsea's youth system over the years, it's no surprise that one of their former academy players could line up against them tonight. Slovakian winger Miroslav Stoch, who left the Blues in 2010, joined Slavia in 2017 after spells at Fenerbahce, PAOK and Bursaspor.

++ The Czechs are a talented team and tactically, they are tough to beat. In their last Europa League matches they pushed up high when Sevilla had goal-kicks, hoping to make them launch the ball and lose possession. They could execute a similar tactic tonight with Chelsea keen to play it out from the back.

++ The club now play their games at Sparta Krc’s Stadion Evzena Rosickeho after being forced out of their old stadium because a statue of Soviet leader Josef Stalin was being built there to replace it.

++ On their run to the Europa League quarter-finals, Slavia have caused more than a few upsets. They beat Bordeaux, Zenit St Petersburg and FC Copenhagen in the group stage before edging past Genk in the round of 32 knockout stage. And despite being huge underdogs against Sevilla, they secured a famous 6-5 (AET) aggregate win over the five-time winners to make the last eight.

11 April 2019

Ancelotti refuses to underestimate Arsenal despite impressive record

Carlo Ancelotti says he has not forgotten about the 10-2 thrashing his Bayern Munich side handed out to Arsenal but insists his current Napoli side face a different proposition against the Gunners this time round.

Photo: Getty 

Ancelotti, who took over from Maurizio Sarri in the summer, won three of four London derbies against Arsenal during his two seasons in charge of Chelsea.

His last meeting with Arsenal saw his Bayern Munich outfit win both legs of their 2016-17 Champions League round of 16 tie 5-1 - in what would prove to be Arsene Wenger's last-ever game in the competition. But the Italian coach believes things have changed under Unai Emery.

"If I say I forgot it is not true," Ancelotti said when asked about the tie.

"I didn't forget this but each game is a different story, imagine every season different clubs, different manager so it will a totally different story. That game with Bayern is only a good memory.

"They [Arsene Wenger and Unai Emery] are different managers with a different style and a different team because new players arrived and so it is a new era.

"But Arsenal is still competitive in the Premier League and in Europe, we have a lot of respect of this team, this club and we are honoured to play this quarter-final against them.

"Unai Emery is, in my opinion, a fantastic manager with a lot of knowledge. He has experience of this kind of game and the fact he is on the bench of Arsenal will be more difficult for us."

11 April 2019

Tough draw could sting Gunners again

After losing to Atletico Madrid in the semi-final in last year's competition, Arsenal have been handed a similarly difficult task of overcoming Napoli in the last eight. 

Photo: Getty 

Carlo Ancelotti's side look set to finish second in the Serie A for the fourth season in a row, with Juventus poised to take their eighth consecutive title, but it highlights the strength of the Partenopei that they're constantly competing.

Arsenal are locked in a top-four battle themselves but, like Chelsea, they have shown their best form in Europe this season. Even despite their 3-1 defeat to Rennes in the first leg, the Gunners rallied to win 3-0 at the Emirates in the return fixture.

But with the electrifying attacking quartet of Lorenzo Insigne, Arkadiusz Milik, Dries Mertens and Jose Callejon, Napoli could deal a hammer blow to the Gunners' hopes of their first European silverware since they won the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup in 1994.

11 April 2019

Europa League form a healthy distraction for Blues

Chelsea's domestic form this season has been worryingly inconsistent after heavy defeats and the fans' backlash against 'Sarriball'. But one constant in the Blues' rollercoaster campaign is their impressive Europa League run.

Photo: Getty 

Maurizio Sarri's side have been arguably the best side in the competition and it's no surprise to see them labelled favourites to win the whole thing after demolishing Dynamo Kiev 8-0 on aggregate in the previous round.

The Blues have only dropped points against MOL Vidi, drawing 2-2 in Hungary when they had already qualified as group winners. With 25 goals scored and just four conceded, they are the team to beat.

It's in Europe where Olivier Giroud has really found form, scoring nine goals in as many games including a 'perfect' hat-trick in Kiev a month ago. If he is in form tonight, Slavia Prague could be in for a tough evening.

11 April 2019

Hazard: Champions League absence is painful for Chelsea

Eden Hazard admits Chelsea’s absence from the Champions League is taking its toll on the club.

Photo: Getty 

The Blues are in a four-way fight for the final two spots in the Premier League’s top four, while they can also earn a place in Europe’s main club competition if they win the Europa League.

Chelsea are at Slavia Prague on Thursday for the first leg of their quarter-final and are third in the Premier League, three points above fifth-placed Arsenal, who have a game in hand.

Hazard, a target for Real Madrid, said: “Two years in a row not playing Champions League is hard for the players but also for the club.

"Chelsea have to play in the Champions League every year, but it’s hard because we’re not the only team trying to qualify.

“But that’s why we are doing everything to try and stay in the top four.”

11 April 2019

Arsenal vs Napoli predicted XIs

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is set to return to the Arsenal starting XI for their Europa League quarter-final first leg clash against Napoli tonight. 

Aubameyang has started his side’s last two matches on the bench with Unai Emery revealing at a press conference on Wednesday his striker has been taking antibiotics to combat a virus.

The Arsenal boss expects the 29-year-old to be fully fit to face Carlo Ancelotti’s side on Thursday evening, where he could join Alexandre Lacazette in attack.

Mesut Ozil meanwhile could miss out again with Aaron Ramsey set to return.

The Wales midfielder was only fit enough to play the second half of Sunday’s 1-0 defeat at Everton due to a groin problem but is expected to be available tonight.

Laurent Koscielny (foot) and Granit Xhaka (groin) face fitness tests having also both missed out at the weekend.

Predicted line-ups

Arsenal XI to face Napoli: Cech, Mustafi, Sokratis, Koscielny, Naitland-Niles, Torreira, Xhaka, Kolasinac, Ramsey, Aubameyang, Lacazette

Napoli XI to face Arsenal: Meret, Hysal, Koulibaly, Maksimovic, Mario Rui, Callejon, Allan, Ruiz, Zielinski, Milik, Mertens

11 April 2019

Slavia Prague vs Chelsea predicted XIs

Olivier Giroud will once again spearhead Chelsea's attack as they look to take a first leg advantage in their Europa League last 16 tie against Slavia Prague.

The France international has nine goals in seven starting appearances in this competition this season and while opportunities in the Premier League remain limited, he has been Maurizio Sarri's go-to man in European competition.

GettyCallum Hudson-Odoi and Ruben Loftus-Cheek have also often relied on the Europa League for starting appearances this season but after playing 85 and 70 minutes respectively against West Ham on Monday night are likely to be rested tonight.

The same could also apply for Eden Hazard, who has played just 117 minutes in this competition this season.

Andreas Christensen, another to have featured regularly on Thursday nights, is also poised to return to the starting XI after recently declaring his intention to stay and fight for his place at Stamford Bridge.

Predicted line-ups

Chelsea (4-3-3): Kepa; Zappacosta, Rudiger, Christensen, Alonso; Kante, Kovacic, Barkley; Pedro, Giroud, Willian

Slavia Prague (3-5-2): Kolar; Kudela, Ngadeu-Ngadjui, Deli; Coufal, Traore, Stoch, Kral, Boril; Masopust, Zmrhal

11 April 2019

Emery has chance to prove he was better choice than Ancelotti

Unai Emery will attempt to guide Arsenal towards a Europa League semi-final on Thursday by outwitting the man who wanted his job.

It was in January last year when the possibility of Arsene Wenger’s departure first began to gather pace.

Carlo Ancelotti was among the names initially discussed as a potential replacement and it is understood the Italian made it known to senior figures involved that he would be keen on taking up the challenge given his fondness for the Premier League and London.

The 59-year-old’s impressive trophy haul and experience of the continental head coach structure the Gunners were moving towards in the post-Wenger era made him an appealing option. 

PA 

But as a detailed search began in earnest, Emery impressed on interview with his forensic knowledge of Arsenal’s squad and readily identifiable areas of improvement which convinced then chief executive Ivan Gazidis, now departed head of recruitment Sven Mislintat and current head of football Raul Sanllehi that the Spaniard was the right man for the job out of eight serious candidates in total.

Training and conditioning had stagnated under Wenger and while Ancelotti was viewed as a statesman in a similar mould, Emery’s hands-on coaching style addressed those urgent concerns: an energetic and demanding presence whose sheer force of will would shake the Gunners from their slumber.

Both managers have endured mixed fortunes since then. Ancelotti’s Napoli are 13 points worse off than they were under Maurizio Sarri but his iconic status in Italy has helped assuage fears they have fallen further behind perennial Serie A champions Juventus.

Emery has made positive strides in taking Arsenal on from the Wenger era but Champions League qualification is the ultimate arbiter in determining whether his maiden campaign is a success. 

The Europa League has been Emery’s insurance policy in that regard, acting as a release valve for the pressure of a Premier League top-four race, offsetting domestic disappointments like the one sustained at Everton last weekend.

That insipid defeat at Goodison Park was a reminder of the alarming disparity between Arsenal’s home and away form. This remains a team still requiring goodwill in surround sound to thrive but the mere fact Emery has helped create such an environment at Emirates Stadium is testament to the progress made to date.

However, on Thursday they will be a searching examination of just how far his side have come. Napoli are by some margin the best team Arsenal have faced in the Europa League under Emery and this time they do not have the fall-back of a second leg at home. Against BATE Borisov and Rennes, the Gunners were wretched in the away leg but able to salvage the tie. A poor first leg result here would be extremely difficult to overturn next week. 

Arsenal will need to employ Emery’s Europa League expertise — his three consecutive titles with Sevilla was another reason behind his appointment — and he has now been in charge of more games in this competition (Thursday is his 70th) than anyone else. 

Ancelotti is not particularly accustomed to this level, with his three European successes coming in the Champions League at AC Milan (twice) and Real Madrid.

A reunion with Emery also brings back painful memories: Ancelotti was sacked by Bayern Munich the day after losing 3-0 to Emery’s Paris St-Germain side in September 2017. Nine years earlier, Wenger sounded the death knell for his Milan team, as Arsenal became the first English side to win in the San Siro and knock the holders out of the Champions League in the last 16.

A restoration of those heady days is Emery’s ultimate aim and a return to Europe’s premier competition is the first important step.

Difficult decisions lie ahead, not least in whether to persevere with Mesut Ozil in his starting line-up. The 30-year-old had begun to earn Emery’s trust in recent weeks before a poor showing at Goodison preceded a bizarre incident in which Ozil threw his jacket in the direction of both Emery and Marco Silva as a touchline altercation ensued shortly after his substitution.

His improved form, Everton aside, is a product of responding positively to Emery’s call for greater work-rate but the temptation to use Aaron Ramsey will be high, given he continues to contribute to the cause effectively despite his impending move to Juventus.

Central midfield changes are inevitable. Matteo Guendouzi and Mohamed Elneny struggled on Merseyside and so Lucas Torreira and Granit Xhaka, assuming he is fit following a groin problem, could return while Laurent Koscielny will play if recovered from a foot injury. Xhaka and Koscielny trained on Wednesday.

Ancelotti won five of his eight matches against Wenger’s Arsenal when in charge of Chelsea and Bayern. The last of those was a 10-2 aggregate win in the 2016-17 Champions League last 16 which went a long way to confirming Wenger’s sell-by date had passed. “Each game is a different story,” Ancelotti said lon Wednesday. This is Emery’s chance to prove himself the better author.

11 April 2019

Arsenal a 'different team' to side thrashed by Bayern

Carlo Ancelotti admits he fondly remembers leading Bayern Munich to a 10-2 thrashing of Arsenal two years ago - but insists his current Napoli side face a different proposition against the Gunners this time round.

The Serie A outfit visit the Emirates Stadium on Thursday for the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final clash.

Ancelotti oversaw three Premier League wins in four London derbies with Arsenal during his two seasons in charge of Chelsea.

Reuters

But his last meeting with Arsenal saw his Bayern Munich outfit win both legs of their 2016/17 Champions League round of 16 tie 5-1 - in what would prove to be Arsene Wenger's last-ever game in the competition.

"If I say I forgot it is not true," Ancelotti said when asked about the tie.

"I didn't forget this but each game is a different story, imagine every season different clubs, different manager so it will a totally different story. That game with Bayern is only a good memory."

11 April 2019

Welcome to Standard Sport's LIVE coverage of the Europa League last 16.

Thursday's fixtures

  • Arsenal vs Napoli
  • Slavia Prague vs Chelsea
  • Benfica vs Eintracht
  • Villarreall vs Valencia
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